Clark County Auditor John S. Federer has been invited to join Dave Yost, Auditor of State, on his Regional Advisory Board.  As a member of the Board, Auditor Federer will have an opportunity to help define and implement better practices both for the State Auditor’s Office and for local governments.  Additionally, he will assist in the implementation of new initiatives, careful review of existing ones, and brainstorming ways to increase productivity throughout the state.

Regional Advisory Boards are made up of community leaders throughout Ohio who provide valuable insight to the Auditor of State on all topics relating to the operation of the office and the conduct of state policy. Liaisons in eight regions schedule periodic meetings where board members and Auditor Yost discuss and evaluate current and future topics of interest. Some of these ideas are captured at www.SkinnyOhio.org which Auditor Yost established in 2011 to help in the continuation of creating a smarter, streamlined government for Ohio.

County Auditor John S. Federer is warning property owners to beware of companies offering to assist with valuation appeals.

ValueAppeal, LLC of Seattle is one of several companies mailing letters to area residents saying they could be overpaying their taxes because “the County” value of their property might be in error. “I have seen solicitations that say owners could be overpaying by thousands of dollars”, said Federer.

Some mailings offer what some companies term “a custom report”. One charges $159. Federer said owners can do the research on their own and can file an appeal for no charge with the Board of Revision (BOR).

“We often advise homeowners to contact a Realtor who is active in their area for an independent opinion of their value as a first step,” he said. “They can also review recent sales of comparable properties on our website www.clarkcountyauditor.org”.

“The information is available and easy to access,” said Federer. “Why pay some out-of-town company to provide what anyone can get at no cost?” he asked. He said similar letters have been mailed to property owners in counties across the state.

He noted that no one can offer a “guarantee” or “a very high likelihood” of a value reduction. “Promises of ‘risk free’ filings are extremely misleading. Each case is considered on its merits and the BOR can increase a value”, he said. “Filing a BOR complaint is the initiation of a legal proceeding. Potential filers are urged to carefully review the instructions we provide to best present their case,” he added.

The BOR is a three-member board which includes a County Commissioner, the County Treasurer and the Auditor.

Auditor Federer will complete a full reappraisal in 2013.  The 2013 values become effective with the first tax bill in 2014. Owners who believe their value is inaccurate should make sure their BOR complaint forms are received by the Auditors office by 4:30 pm on Monday April 1st.

Complaint forms and instructions are available from the Auditor’s office or may be accessed on the Auditor’s website.

NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS

OF FORTHCOMING

PUBLICATION OF

DELINQUENT TAX LIST 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the County Auditor of Clark County, Ohio as required by Section 5721.03 of the Revised Code of Ohio, that on the 12th day of September, 2012 and the 19^th day of September, 2012, the Delinquent Land Tax List will be published in the Springfield News-Sun, a newspaper of general circulation in Clark County.

This list will contain the names of owners of all lands upon which the real estate taxes, assessments, recoupment charges, penalties and interest, or either, remain unpaid at the August 2012 tax settlement, and still remain unpaid.

An interest charge will accrue on accounts remaining unpaid after the last day of November 2012 unless the taxpayer enters a written Delinquent Contract to pay such taxes in installments.

Installment payments may be made in accordance with a written Delinquent Contract with the Clark County Treasurer.

 Installment payments WILL NOT prevent the publication of the balance of unpaid taxes, assessments, recoupment charges, penalties and interest.

 PREVENTION OF PUBLICATION

 Payment of taxes, assessments, recoupment charges, interest and penalties, IN FULL, if made no later than 12:30 p.m. on the 7^th day of September, 2012 will eliminate those land owners names from publication on September 12, 2012, and payments made no later than 12:30 p.m. on the 14^th day of September, 2012 will prevent publication on September 19, 2012.

 JOHN S FEDERER

CountyAuditor, Clark County, Ohio 

Auditor John S. Federer wishes to thank the citizens and taxpayers of Clark County for their overwhelming response to the residential data collection effort with respect to the 2013 Property Reappraisal.  “All residential property data collection has been completed and the information obtained is now being reviewed to ensure that the Auditor’s office has complete and accurate records,” Federer said.   “I want to thank the community for their participation and diligence in assisting us with this important process.  It is vital that the information be as accurate as possible.”

The second phase of the project involves gathering information concerning commercial properties.  A letter is being prepared requesting economic information on lease-type properties.  This information will be analyzed and used to develop market income data for the application of the income approach to value..  It is important to note that the letter will appear on County Auditor letterhead; however, all information will be sent to Tyler Technologies, Inc., a highly skilled and professional mass appraisal firm, under contract to assist the County Auditor in the state-mandated reappraisal.  “Please be assured that all information will be held in the strictest confidence.  We want to make the commercial property owners aware that these requests are being sent out, and we invite your participation in this process,” said Federer.

“To the best of our knowledge, this commercial mailing process is new to Clark County,” explained Federer.  “Our intention is to work hard to communicate to the constituents where we are in this process and why it is important.  I am looking forward to a quality outcome of our 2013 Reappraisal, and it is an honor for me to work for the citizens and taxpayers of Clark County.”  As always if there are any questions, please call the Auditor’s Office at (937) 521-1878.

Clark County Auditor has announced that property owners wishing to challenge their property’s value have until Monday April 2nd to file an appeal with the Auditor’s office.  Petitioning property owners will receive at least a twenty day notice of their scheduled hearing.  The Board of Revision adjusts values not tax dollars.  The Board of Revision has three members; the County Auditor, the County Treasurer and the President of the County Commissioners or their designees.  To contest your valuation you must file a complaint form at the County Auditor’s office, with the Board of Revision, between January 1 and April 2 of the current year. Complaint forms and information packets can be obtained in the Auditor’s Office at 31 N Limestone at the AB Graham Building or by calling (937) 521-1878.

First half Real Estate tax bills are being sent out and the Clark County Auditor’s office is ready for the thousands of questions that taxpayers have concerning their bill. “Every time bills are sent out, calls start funneling in asking questions as to why their bill is different” said John S. Federer, Clark County Auditor. This time will be no different. Property owners in Clark County will pay higher taxes than they did for the same period last year because voters supported social service and park board levies. The cumulative effect of those levies passed will cost, on average, residential property owners an additional $92.87 per $100,000 in value according to the Clark County Auditor’s data.

Homeowners of a $100,000 valued home will owe $482.86 in taxes for county agencies in the coming year. In 2010, the amount owed was $389.99 for that same $100,000 value. These figures include only county-wide levies and not levies for libraries, schools or other local needs.

Children Services (DJFS) and the Clark County Park District account for $126.00 or 26.09% of the county’s current year total property tax bill for that homeowner, again excluding libraries, schools and other local needs.

Clark County Treasurer, Stephen T. Metzger, mailed out property tax bills for 2012 last week to 44,480 homeowners who do not have their property taxes rolled into an escrow account.

An additional 19,750 property tax bills were sent to banks and other escrow agents for the homeowner. Those homeowners can check their taxes due by looking them up by their address, using the Clark County Auditor’s website, www.clarkcountyauditor.org.

Ohio State law requires the tax bills to be sent no later than 20 days before they are due. Clark County’s due date for the first half year payment is February 10, 1012. The second half payment is due July 13, 2012.

The Auditor’s office establishes the values for taxation, the Treasurer’s office is responsible for collection of taxes and the State of Ohio, Department of Taxation sets all property tax rates. As property values increase and/or decrease, levies are adjusted and can be reduced or charged the full millage based on the value trends in the marketplace. If property values increase, the Ohio Department of Taxation rolls back voter approved property tax rates to prevent agencies from gaining a windfall. If property values decrease, the Ohio Department of Taxation will adjust accordingly the other way to insure the appropriate levies have required funding.

In the prior tax year there were 7 county-wide levies that received a reduction factor. In this tax year, there were 5 county-wide levies that received the same tax consideration.

“Our desire is to assist the homeowner in understanding their recent tax bill” explains Federer. The Auditor’s office is willing to help explain any questions resulting from your bill. We want to share why differences take place. Should you have questions, please contact the Clark County Auditor’s office, Real Estate Department, at 521-1891.

Data collectors will begin gathering information on properties in Clark County beginning mid July. This is the first phase of the Clark County Property Reappraisal. A visual appraisal of each parcel of property is mandated by the state once every six years to “ensure fair and accurate values.”

During this phase, locally hired data collectors will go door to door, collecting information about each property such as age, type of basement, number of rooms, baths, type of heat, and anything that is unique to the building. At a later phase, professional appraisers analyze the data collected and establish the estimated fair market value using all the information gathered.

“The data that supports this valuation is most important to insure a quality outcome. I am pleased that we are able to hire local citizens to assist the office in this important process to the taxpayers of Clark County,” Auditor John Federer said.

All data collectors and other field personnel are trained professionals and can be identified by ID badges, which must be visible. All project personnel have also submitted personal and vehicle information that is listed with local law enforcement and the Auditor’s office.

Assessment notices will be mailed near the end of the reappraisal. Taxes based on the new assessment will not be due until 2014. Ohio law offers property owners the opportunity to appeal their property valuations. Information about the appeals process will be included with the new value for each property.

Auditor Federer encourages residents to visit the offices’ website to assist in the process of ensuring accurate data of their property. Go to www.clarkcountyauditor.org and click on the
“Dwelling Card Info” to complete the questionnaire.

Clark County hired Tyler Technologies’ CLT Appraisal Services to conduct the reappraisal project. Tyler’s CLT Appraisal Services is a highly respected, reliable company that has been a pioneer in the mass appraisal profession since 1938.

County Auditor John Federer has added specific information on new levies to the website at www.clarkcountyauditor.org.  Homeowners can go to the “Tax Tab” of their specific property record to see the effect of new levies if passed based on their property’s current value.  Taxpayers are normally told how much a levy will cost based on a $100,000 home value.  With this calculator, property owners can now calculate the cost based on the current value and current tax rate of their individual property, rather than an estimate.

“Our mission is to proactively communicate with the Clark County constituents to assist in making informed decisions.  We have a lot of work to do in this county.  This is one of many pieces that we will be sharing to assist you, the taxpayer, to help us move in a positive direction.”  Federer said.

Clark County turns a page this week by welcoming Auditor John S. Federer to office.  The new Auditor has many plans for the office.  He plans to transform the office into a constituent focused organization, create fair and accurate real estate values, and work within the community for improved relations and team oriented results.

Mr. Federer brings to the office over 34 years in proven executive and business management experience.  He plans to work with the dedicated team of county employees and be present to support them in their positions.

Mr. Federer has devoted extensive time, energy and expertise to various community organizations, serving on various boards to help and improve the quality of life for all Clark County Residents. He will continue these activities during his service in office in order to change the image of the Auditor’s office throughout the county. He will create pathways for communication and effective partnerships that do not exist today.

Following the 2010 triennial update of property values, Clark County Auditor George Sodders conducted a month-long open book period. Valuation booklets were mailed, requesting property owners to contact the auditor’s office with any questions or concerns regarding their tentative values.

 According to Sodders, 1,225 contacts were received, including 1,037 via telephone, 71 office visits, 83 emails and 34 via direct mail. “Most of the contacts (70%) were for general information, including inquires about homestead exemptions and agricultural use valuation. About 30% of the contacts were questions regarding valuation changes that might be too high or too low,” Sodders said.

 “All contacts have been reviewed and nearly 99% have been resolved for inclusion in the 2010 final abstract of values to be submitted to the state for approval,” Sodders said.

 “It is the on-going desire and work of my office to seek accurate and uniform property assessments according to market value. The current value update, required by law, was conducted with great attention to the local Clark County real estate market and changes that have occurred since the last revaluation. We discovered and implemented adjustments ranging on average from -16.5% to -5.5%,” Sodders explained.

 “I want to thank all those who contacted us during our open-book review. Once final values are approved, they will be posted on my web site, www.clarkcountyauditor.org,” Sodders said.