Allen County residents can expect to see a potential 10-25 percent increase in property valuations this year, according to Allen County Appraiser Jami Clark.
“That doesn’t mean every single property,” Clark clarified to county commissioners Tuesday morning. “We might come across a property that we think can hold its current valuation.”
The appraiser’s office will send valuations out April 1. Clark noted that properties sometimes get undervalued or overvalued. “It goes both ways,” she said. “It is not as often to be overvalued.” Giving an example, she noted that one house valued at $263,000 recently sold for $260,000. “So, we were within 10%, but we were $3,000 over,” she said. In contrast, a house was valued at $11,000 that sold for $36,000. Another was valued at $148,800 that sold for $205,000.
“These undervalued houses are why the valuations are increasing 10 to 25 percent,” noted Commissioner Bruce Symes. Clark agreed.
“We look at what’s happened in the last year and determine what we consider the interest to be on how much difference there is from our valuations to what they actually sold for,” Clark explained. “Most likely, we’ve undervalued rather than overvalued.” From valuation to sale price, the state gives the county a leeway of 10 percent.
“People say we’re just ‘assuming’ when we make the valuations,” said Clark. “That’s all we can do. Assume what’s going on with the dwelling. By seeing a new roof and windows, we assume they’ve remodeled the house. So, we say that it’s been remodeled.”
Clark added she encourages people who are thinking about signing up for the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) to visit with her to clear up any confusion on how it works. The program offers a tax rebate to property owners who make improvements, such as new structures or remodeling efforts, to their properties. The rebate is equal to the amount their property taxes increase because of the improvements.
Currently 198 properties are in the program, with approximately 40 more to be added in 2024. The city, county, school district and Allen Community College participate in the revitalization program by agreeing to dedicate funds from their mill levies to encourage local homeowners and business owners to improve their properties.
In December 2022, the county agreed to renew its participation with NPR in 2024 with the stipulation that it would offer a 100% rebate for the first six years and every year after that decrease the tax rebate by 20%. The other entities remain content to provide a 100% rebate for the full 10 years.
“What people have to remember is we’re trying to arrive at market value,” Clark said. “If they were to sell their property and they receive close to what we have valued it at, then we’ve done our job. If we’re out of line, they need to come see us.” Clark encourages people to make an appointment with her office if they have questions about their property valuations. She noted spring is the time to review one’s valuation estimate. “Once they get their tax statements, more than half of them are really appealing their taxes, not their valuation,” she said.
Clark mentioned instances where reimbursements were made when individuals have appealed that their renovations weren’t completed. “Somebody will come in and say they weren’t finished with their renovations and they’ll have pictures. Well, I didn’t know that. But, I agree, so I’ll go back and reimburse.”
She stressed the virtue of the process.
“We realize that people aren’t happy with what we do,” Clark said. “We try really hard to be fair and honest.”
Property Tax Help
Symes notes that there are programs residents may qualify for to help with property taxes. One such program is the Kansas Homestead Refund program. This is a rebate program for the property taxes paid by homeowners. The refund is based on a portion of the property tax paid on a Kansas resident’s home. The maximum refund is $700.
