Bad news Friday. Likely yours stayed the same, or went down. Well, if you are lucky enough to own property and have a place to live.
The 2012 assessment notices were mailed today, Friday, April 20. Notices are mailed only when assessments have changed from the previous year. We mailed 3,010 notices of increased assessments and 39,638 notices of decreases. Notices are not being mailed to the 31,044 property owners whose values remain the same. A copy of the report “Assessments by Aldermanic District” is attached.
An “Open Book” inspection period will be held on business days between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from Monday, April 23 through Friday, May 11. The 2012 preliminary assessment roll and detailed assessment reports are available for inspection in the lobby of the City Assessor’s office. Information is listed in address order and shows ownership, lot size, building data, assessed values and tax information. The assessment roll may also be viewed on a CD at the Main Library or on our website at www.cityofmadison.com/assessor/.
Owners who disagree with their assessment should contact the Assessor’s Office to discuss it with assessment staff. If still not satisfied with their assessed value, owners may file a formal objection. The Assessor’s Office must be notified, either orally or in writing, of intent to object at least 48 hours before the first meeting of the Board of Review. The Board’s first scheduled meeting is Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 1:30 PM. Owners must notify the Assessor’s Office of their intent to object no later than 1:30 PM, Monday, May 14, 2012. In addition, an objection form obtained from the Assessor’s Office must be completed and filed with the City Assessor’s Office prior to or within the first two hours of the first meeting of the Board of Review.
The Board of Assessors will review all properly filed objections and make any necessary corrections or changes. Owners who disagree with the Board of Assessors’ decision may proceed to a formal hearing before the Board of Review. Its function is to decide if the assessment is correct based upon oral testimony and evidence presented by the property owner and the Assessor’s Office staff. The Board may decide to raise, lower or sustain the assessment. Board of Review decisions may be appealed to the Circuit Court.
If you have questions concerning assessments, please contact the Assessor’s office so you can speak with the appraiser who valued the property.
