I’m excited to be part of Clark County’s Wide Area Rapid Notification (WARN) System. Our GIS is critical to the operation of this early warning system,” Sodders said.  The WARN system utilizes the property locations that are currently managed by this department.

“In addition, our GIS department will be maintaining the data that will be entered by the end-user in the development of the early-warning notification database,” according to Sodders.

“In order for us to update your information in our database, I ask all citizens to visit my web page at www.clarkcountyauditor.org and enter your primary phone number(s).”

 “Early warning capability is increasingly becoming a necessary part of local communities. We want to ensure the safety of all our citizens.”

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“The county’s budget estimates for 2010 may require mid-year adjustments if the local economy doesn’t begin showing signs of recovery,” Sodders said. “Our sales tax revenue is down almost 2% from the same quarter last year, while the value of new housing permits plummeted almost 31%, and the value of commercial permits declined 21.5%,” Sodders explained. 

“In addition, the number of taxable property transfers is down, and fees collected from those transfers remain stagnate. Sales tax and fees are vital sources of revenue for the county,” Sodders said. The county’s unemployment rate remains above state and national levels. “Until we see growth in our employment numbers, the local economy will remain a drag on the county’s revenues,” Sodders concluded.

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Auditor Land Sale List – May 2010 

Notice is hereby given to all concerned that the following forfeited tracts, lots, and parts of lots are offered for sale subject to all liens and encumbrances, except for liens for real estate taxes, assessments, charges, penalties, and interest for which the lien was foreclosed and in satisfaction of which the property is to be sold.

Starting at 10:00 a.m. on May 4, 2010 on the Court House steps, the following parcels will be sold:

Note: If no bid is received for any of the tracts in an amount sufficient to pay the amount required by law, the sale shall continue from day to day thereafter, each day at 10:00 a.m. on the Court House steps, until May 7, 2010 or until the county auditor has disposed of or offered each tract of land specified in notice.

I – indicator these parcels have building improvements

Notice is hereby given to all concerned, that if the taxes, assessments, charges, penalties, interest and costs charged on the list are not paid into the county treasury, and the county treasurer’s receipt produced for the payment, before the respective dates mentioned in this notice for the sale, each tract, lot, and parts of lot, so forfeited, on which the taxes, assessments, charges, penalties, interest, and costs remain unpaid, will be offered for sale on the respective dates mentioned in this notice, at the court house in the county, in order to satisfy such taxes, assessments, charges, penalties, and costs and that the sale will continue for four days until  each tract, lot, and part of lot specified in the list has been disposed of, or offered for sale. 

If the tract, lot, or part of lot, so forfeited, is sold for an amount that is less than the amount of the delinquent taxes, assessments, charges, penalties, and interest against it, the court in a separate order may enter a deficiency judgment against the last owner  of record of the tract, lot, or part of lot before its forfeiture to the state, for the amount of the difference, if that owner of record is a corporation, the court may enter the deficiency judgment against the stockholder holding a majority of the corporation’s stock. 

Now, therefore, public notice is hereby given that I, George A. Sodders, Auditor of Clark County, Ohio, will sell such real property at public auction, for cash to the highest bidder for an amount not less than the court and publishing costs incurred on each parcel.  If any parcel does not receive a sufficient bid it shall  be offered  for sale under the same terms and conditions of the first sale and at the same time of day and the same place until May 7, 2010.

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“Our new proposed levy calculator was developed in response to property owners who wanted to know how much a new tax levy would cost them if it is approved by voters. Taxpayers are normally told how much a levy will cost based on a $100,000 home value. With this new calculator, property owners can now calculate the cost based on the value of their individual property. The calculator was developed to assist all property owners who have proposed tax levies on the ballot,” Sodders said.

“We have also developed a tax estimator that can be used to calculate estimated taxes based on the taxing district in which a property is located. This estimator will assist both developers and others who might be locating to our county,” Sodders said.

The updated web page also now includes city and county combined geographical information map layers, including city and county enterprise zones, fire and EMS locations, sewer and water lines, and street and traffic lights, according to Sodders.

“I encourage all taxpayers to visit our web page at www.clarkcountyauditor.org to learn more about the many services that are provided,” Sodders said.

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 Among Ohio’s 88 counties, Morgan County recorded the highest percentage increase in foreclosure filings at 129.7%, while Allen County’s dropped 30.7%.

 In surrounding counties, Montgomery foreclosures dropped 9.5%;  Madison jumped 37.9%;  Greene increased 10.1%; and Champaign climbed 24.2%.

New foreclosure filings in Clark County have fluctuated between a low of 925 in 2005 to a high of 1,124 in 2008. Statewide filings have increased every year since 2005, ranging from 63,996 to 89,053.

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Sodders recommended to county commissioners the adoption of a resolution giving departments the option to accept credit card payments.

“I think this is a real convenience for taxpayers and there is no additional cost to the county for providing this service,” Sodders said. “In addition, these services are proven to be safe and secure for taxpayers, and there is no hassle with returned checks,” Sodders explained.

Upon the recommendation of Sodders, County Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution today, paving the way to solicit bids from potential providers.

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Sodders explained that he is also enhancing the system to include scanned sewer construction images for the city, a search for lost dogs, a tax estimator for property owners, and new street level imagery for property owners, developers, realtors, and law enforcement.

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“In the auditor’s office, we have pursued initiatives to streamline operations to hold down operating costs. At the same time, we have aggressively sought to acquire and implement the latest technology that not only make us more efficient, but also makes government more transparent,” Sodders said.

“Our new web page gives citizens access to all the public information maintained by our office. Never before in the history of Clark County has access to financial data, real estate property records, and government documents been more readily available to the public,” Sodders said.

“Not only do our citizens have greater access to public records in the auditor’s office, they have greater access to me and other public servants working in my office. My web page lists names, phone numbers and email addresses that make contact with our office simple and easy, explained Sodders.

“While I am tempted to boast about change, transparency and past achievements, I remain committed to the constant reexamination of operating procedures that promote efficiency and reduce costs. Taxpayers demand and deserve the very best from their public servants. And that’s exactly what I will continue to give them,” Sodders concluded.

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In Clark County, we now have over 11,000 senior homeowners enrolled in the homestead program, saving on average $399 per year in taxes. If you will reach age 65 any time during 2010 or are disabled, you have until June 7th to sign up for this important tax-saving program. For an application, go to clarkcountyauditor.org or call 521-1862.

If you are already in the program, you will automatically receive a renewal application by U.S. mail. If there is no change in your eligibility, you are not required to return this form. If there has been a change, simply make the change and send it back in to our office. But remember, you must apply by June 7th to receive this tax deduction.

Download Homestead Application Here.

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“Registering and licensing your dog is not just the law, it is the only means by which the owner of a lost or injured animal can be located,” Sodders explained. “Protect your pet and buy a license today,” Sodders said.

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