Michael Stinziano has served as Franklin County Auditor since 2019.
Property taxeshave become one of the defining issues in Ohio.
Whether it is the recent effort to repeal property taxes altogether, proposals moving through the Statehouse, or conversations around kitchen tables across Franklin County, one thing is clear: Ohioans want relief. They want transparency. And they want confidence that the system is fair.
Those conversations matter. Meaningful reform deserves serious debate. But I believe our public conversation is overlooking something important.
While Ohioans debate the future of property taxes, Franklin County property owners have a limited-time opportunity to make sure one important part of the equation is right: the auditor's appraised
value of their property.
Why property value appraisals are important
As county auditor, I don't decide how much property tax someone pays. Property taxes are the result of a complicated calculation involving voter-approved levies, tax rates, state law and other factors. Changes in appraised value do not translate dollar-for-dollar into changes in property taxes, but they will be used for any future voter-approved levies.
What the auditor's office is responsible for is determining an accurate and equitable value for every property throughout Franklin County.
This year, Franklin County is conducting its state-required property value update. Nearly 500,000 parcels received tentative values reflecting changes in the real estate market.
Because of that update, property owners have a unique opportunity that is available only for a limited time.
Through Sept. 5, property owners who have questions about their tentative value can request a free property value review with an auditor's office appraisal representative. It is the lowest-hanging fruit available to property owners who want to make sure the value assigned to their property is accurate.
What property owners can do
Mass appraisal allows hundreds of thousands of properties to be valued consistently and equitably, but no mass appraisal system can know everything about every individual property. It cannot always account for deferred maintenance, structural issues, unique characteristics or other factors that may affect valuation.
That is why Property Value Reviews exist.
They give property owners an opportunity, before values become final, to ask questions, share additional information and help ensure the auditor's appraised value is fair and accurate.
Normally, if a property owner disagrees with a value after it is finalized, the next step is filing for a review with the Board of Revision. That process serves an important purpose, but it is more formal and takes place after values have been certified by the state of Ohio.
A property value review is designed to remove barriers, not create them.
Property owners can meet with an appraiser virtually, schedule an in-person appointment at locations throughout Franklin County, or simply submit documents for review without attending a meeting.
It is a conversation, not a hearing. It happens before values become final. And during this year's update, it is the easiest opportunity property owners have to ask questions, provide additional information and make sure their property's value is appropriate.
Yet, to date, fewer than one-half of 1% of Franklin County property owners have taken advantage of this opportunity.
In a county with nearly 500,000 parcels, well over 99% of property owners have not used this opportunity to work with the auditor's office on what will become their final valuation.
For most families, a home is their biggest investment.
Valuing it accurately is the top priority of your auditor's office.
If you have not reviewed your tentative value, now is the time. Visit the Franklin County Auditor's Know Your Home Value website at auditor.franklincountyohio.gov/KYHV to review your tentative value, learn more about the 2026 property value update and, if something does not look right, request a free property value review before Sept. 5.
Meaningful property tax reform should continue.
I will continue advocating for the reforms our neighbors are seeking. But while that debate continues, Franklin County property owners should not let the easiest opportunity they have to make sure their property's appraised value is right pass them by.
Michael Stinziano has served as Franklin County Auditor since 2019.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Property taxes a burning issue. Franklin County owners should check values now | Opinion
