ATHENS, OHIO – October 6, 2023: Athens County Auditor Jill Davidson
announces that property values have been updated and are currently available
for property owners to view on the Auditor’s recently updated website: www.athenscountyauditor.org
Davidson explained, “As Auditor, I am required by Ohio law
to update real property values during the third year after a county-wide
reappraisal.” The most recent reappraisal was effective for tax year 2020. This
process is referred to as the Triennial Update.
The County Auditor is required to update property values
based on a recommendation from the Ohio Department of Taxation. The values have
been adjusted based on sales ratio studies from the previous three years. It’s
important to note that the percentage adjustment will vary based on the sales
ratio data. While Residential and Agricultural parcels had the largest
percentage increases. Many parcels did not see any adjustment and some may have
a percentage decrease.
The update involves a study and analysis to determine the
impact that real estate sales had on the neighborhood market values. Properties
that have sold in an arm’s length transaction are compared to those that do not
have recent sales. When the sales prices are compared with the assessed values,
a statistical percentage is determined which indicates the amount of increase
or decrease in market value. Assessed values are then updated according to the
statistical percentage.
The Auditor’s office is also required to update the Current
Agricultural Use Valuation (CAUV) soil values at the time of the Triennial
Update. The adjusted soil values are set by the State of Ohio and are not
subject to appeal. Additional information including Triennial Update FAQs, a
communication from the Ohio Department of Taxation concerning the CAUV changes
and the letter to Property Owners is available on the website or by contacting
the office.
Property owners can easily look up the updated parcel data
including property attributes and values. To ensure fair assessments, Auditor
Davidson commented, “I encourage all property owners to review their property
values and the information we have listed for their parcels closely. If any of
the property record information is not correct, this is an opportunity for
property owners to contact our office so that we can timely correct any errors
that may have occurred with the update. “
The newly updated website makes it much easier for property
owners to look up their property values and parcel attributes by using the SEARCH tool. Parcels can be searched on the site by owner name,
parcel ID or address. Updated information provided in the parcel data includes
the estimated cost of tax levies to the property owner that will be on the
ballot this November. Additional tools make it easy to review property Sales Reports to compare their updated
value with recent sales.
Property owners should be aware of the following
information:
1.
Property
taxes will not increase or decrease by the same percentage as your value
adjustment.
2.
Property
taxes are primarily determined by the voters of Athens County. Newly approved
tax levies directly affect your property tax due next year.
3.
The
Auditor’s Office is not able to provide the amount of property tax that will be
billed next year until after the election results are certified by the Board of
Elections, provided to the State and new rates are calculated.
Auditor Davidson has arranged an opportunity for property
owners to informally meet with an appraiser to review their property record and
answer any questions they may have.
Appointments can be made by calling (740) 592-3223,
emailing [email protected] or stopping in the office located at 15 S. Court Street, Room 330,
Athens, OH 45701. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. The office will be closed on Monday, October 9th in honor
of Columbus Day.
