Residents concerned over property tax hike

PASCO –– Franklin County commissioners are hearing from residents concerned over an increase in property valuation assessments and related taxes to be paid in 2024.

During the June 13 meeting of commissioners, Commission Chairman Clint Didier noted he had received "numerous phone calls from very angry citizens about their property assessments."

Didier encouraged residents concerned about their assessment to go to the County Assessor's Office and file an appeal with the Board of Equalization.

Some residents were also present at the meeting to voice concerns.

"An appraisal on an individual home will always be more accurate than the algorithms created for mass appraisal," one speaker said. "It's a one-size-fits-all (approach) and it doesn't fit all."

Another pointed out the size difference between the two properties that were used as a comparison, pointing out one was "500 square-foot bigger," he said.

The next commenter voiced concerns about Assessor's Office staff, noting that not all of his interactions were met with enthusiasm.

Although he was cut off when his 3 minutes expired, he continued to speak, advising others to seek professional consultation from local appraisers while also contacting the Assessor's Office to appeal.

During the June 6 commission meeting. Franklin County Assessor John Rosenau also encouraged those unhappy to call the Assessor's Office.

The office based assessments on "vast amounts of statistical data," he said.

The assessor assured commissioners during the June 6 meeting that taxes will not increase at the same rate assessed value increased.