After the public outcry when Franklin County fully reassessed property values in 2023, Auditor Michael Stinziano expected a surge in appeals of the recent reevaluations that increased homeowner values by roughly 10%.
That hasn't happened.
The county sent out tentative values in June, showing a roughly 10% median increase in countywide residential property values. The Franklin County Auditor's office offers informal property value review sessions from July through Sept. 5, allowing property owners who disagree with the assessment of their property's value to meet with an appraiser and explain why they believe it should be lower. Property values will then be finalized in December.
But Auditor Stinziano said as of Aug. 10 that only 2,338 people have
requested a property value review – thousands fewer than he expected.
"We're not exactly sure why," he said. "Some members of our office will say it's because we got the values right; other folks will say [property owners] didn't get the mail. But we don't want anyone to receive their property tax bill from the treasurer and have missed the opportunity to engage and work with the office and make sure they get a fair and equitable value."
Three years ago, during a full reappraisal, Franklin County saw a historic 41% increase in in residential property values. Stinziano said roughly 12,000 people requested property value reviews that year, and he expected between 4,000 and 6,000 this year.
"We recognize three years ago, there were historic value increases," he said. "Even with a non-historic value increase year, an on average 10% increase, we've been surprised we have not seen more property owners take advantage."
The auditor's office is required by state law to release notices of proposed property values every three years, in addition to conducting a full property-by-property reappraisal every six years. This year's tentative values show a 7.4% median increase across all property types in Franklin County and a 10% median increase in residential property values.
That does not necessarily translate to a 10% increase in property taxes. As Stinziano explained, an individual taxpayer's share is based on their property's value relative to other properties subject to the same levies. The Franklin County Auditor's website offers a tax calculator that allows property owners to estimate how changes in their property's value could affect their tax bill.
Property owners interested in a property value review can submit documentation online, schedule an in-person or virtual appointment or walk in to one of the several review session locations. Each review consists of a 20-minute meeting with an appraiser.
Stinziano encouraged property owners to bring evidence that could support a lower valuation, such as a third-party appraisal or photographs documenting basement flooding, roof damage, outdated infrastructure or other issues affecting the home's condition.
"We don't go inside properties, so that's why a property owner plays such an important role in this process," he said.
Stinziano emphasized that the review process is not meant to be adversarial. Instead, he said, it is intended to give property owners an opportunity to better understand the valuation process and ensure they receive a fair assessment. Unlike formal appeals through the Franklin County Board of Revision, which occur after values are finalized in December and can result in values being raised, property value reviews can only hold values steady or decrease them, he said.
"If a property owner takes advantage of a review, their value is not going to go up unless that is what they are seeking," Stinziano said.
If property owners do not participate in a property value review, Stinziano said the tentative value they received in June will become their final value in December. Those who do participate will be notified of any changes when values are finalized.
If a property owner still believes their finalized value is inaccurate, they can file an appeal with the Franklin County Board of Revision by March 31, 2027.
Reporter Emma Wozniak can be reached at ewozniak@dispatch.com or @emma_wozniak_ on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Auditor surprised by low turnout for property value reviews despite countywide jump
