Many Warren County property owners are getting letters with their new tentative property reassessments and next steps in the process.

We’re sure many – particularly those who have seen their assessment increase – have questions. Now is the time to ask them.

The entier process of reassessing properties is to make sure everyone is paying their fair share. For years some have been paying too much in property taxes while others weren’t really paying their fair share – particularly those whose properties were purchased closer to the last countywide property reassessment. It’s anticipated that about a third of properties will see an assessment increase with a third of assessments going down and a third staying roughly the same.

We won’t hear much from the latter two groups. But the first group, those whose assessments increase, need to pay careful attention to the letter they’re receiving — other than the incorrect date to schedule an informal review, which is May 31 — and begin putting together information needed for a review of their new assessment.

This is the time for those who feel they’re property is being unfairly assessed to begin making their case.

The informal review allows property owners to question some parts of the preliminary assessment, including if staff assessed a property correctly, if a property is accurately described (number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, etc.), if garages and outbuildings are correctly captured and if there are neighboring blighted properties that could decrease a property’s assessment. There may be other issues with a property that might not have been included in the new assessment that can impact valuations. All property records can be reviewed online at https://gis.vgsi.com/warrencountyrevalpa. Now is the time to start gathering photos and any other documentation that may needed for the hearing as well.

We’re entering the home stretch of this reassessment. While the work before this was in the hands of the county, now the ball enters the property owner’s court.

Take the time to make sure you’re property has been handled fairly now – it’ll save a lot of headache later.