By PETER HUSSMANN
The four-member Jasper County Board of Review will begin work Friday on a record number of appeals filed in connection with the state's order to increase residential and commercial valuations on properties across the county.
Wednesday was the deadline for local residents to appeal the Iowa Department of Revenue's equalization order for Jasper County that required a 6 percent valuation increase on all residential properties and 5 percent on commercial.
Jasper County Assessor John Deegan, who unsuccessfully appealed the state's order, said on Wednesday that the number of appeals his office has received is "off the wall."
"We're kissing 1,000," he said. "It's two Bibles thick."
Deegan attributed the never-before-seen number of appeals to an erroneous e-mail that circulated widely last month.
"Jasper County is going to be assessed a 6 percent property tax increase," the e-mail stated. "This is non-published so most people in the county will not know that they have the right to appeal this decision. The form needs to be filed by November 4th. These can be given to the County Assessors. Please let as many people know that are property owners in Jasper County."
While residential and commercial assessments have been increased by 6 and 5 percent, respectively, those assessed value increases do not necessarily mean property taxes will increase by similar percentages. Taxing bodies, as they prepare next fiscal year's budgets, will be able to draw from the larger pool of assessed value. Coupled with a higher "rollback" figure on residential properties, and a taxing body would be able to lower levy rates to keep revenues neutral from this year to next. Here's a previous story on the new residential rollback rates.
The Board of Review had previously been scheduled to begin work on the appeals on Monday but due to the heavy volume the group will meet at 9 a.m. Friday to begin the process. The board has until Nov. 30 to complete the appeals. Individuals who have their appeals rejected may appeal to the state's Property Assessment Appeal Board (PAAB) or the district court. The appeal board is only allowed to lower assessments by the amount of the equalization order.
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