Has anyone else opened their new property appraisal letter and screamed in disbelief at the outrageous new appraisal?
The whole appraisal office should be drug tested because somebody in there is obviously on something to come up with this ridiculousness. Seventy-three percent. That's not a typo, that's a 73 percent increase. Seventy-three percent.
I have calmed down a little bit and fought off the urge to make what would have been a very nasty phone call right after I opened the letter.
You can bet tomorrow I am going to make that call and give them the opportunity to say that's not correct, we made a mistake before I take it any further.
This isn't California, for Pete's sake. Reminds me of the Reagan quote about being glad you don't get all the government you pay for. Twenty-five percent would have been bad enough but 73 percent. It's ludicrous. I am beyond incensed.
Dennis Wooden
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I, too, am totally incensed at the near doubling of our property tax. What in the world are you thinking? Mr. Haynes was a member of the party that cried for lower taxes (not sure if he still is now) for years.
The local GOP dropped the ball on not finding a suitable candidate to oppose Mayor Kelly, well now is their chance to do something. Surely there is someone qualified to run the Assessor of Property office that will stand against such unbelievable taxation, especially on senior citizens.
Personally, I have joined that elite group of seasoned citizens and received a Social Security stipend each month, but, like some others, I don't have that supplemental retirement income from a job, even though I spent decades in one place.
There has to be a reason for such an enormous increase, especially at the time when everything else is going sky high. I'm open to either party to groom someone capable of overseeing our property.
I understand taxes are a must, and property taxes are just a part of that, but wow, Marty...nearly double? I, and I'm sure many others, would like to know (and we demand to know) just how you came up with this formula. Do all of these new developments that are choking out our neighborhoods making any difference?
Maybe you can set up some area town hall meetings to show the citizens how this is needed. I am sure I will get negative feedback from this and that's fine...that's what makes America great. And I promise not to burn any buildings or loot stores or stop traffic when I do. I just would like to know why you are putting such a financial burden on the citizens of Hamilton County.
Perhaps you will even respond to my letter so we can move forward. Please reconsider this recent tax increase. You can even humble yourself and say you made a mistake, that's cool...just don't let this be the final word.
I thought I was through writing letters, but this example yanked me out of letter writing retirement where I just had to respond.
Rick Tucker
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Questioning Mr. Haynes in a public meeting will not educate the Hamilton County citizens on the assessment process. Mr. Haynes needs to put in writing a complete full disclosure explanation of the method used and distribute that with each new assessment notice. We property owners and tax paying citizens of Hamilton County are rightly due the method and basis upon which our property is valued. I might also add we voters have a say in who fills the Assessors Office and can express our satisfaction at the voting poles.
The last time property was reassessed I called the Assessor office to question the new value assigned to my property. I was told in general terms the following:
Assessment is a complicated calculation based upon “generalized sales prices” of similar homes within a specific area (your neighborhood)
Each house is not individually assessed on a detailed basis
Typically a “drive by” through the area/neighborhood is performed (every street is not necessarily traversed)
Tennessee state law prohibits the county from collecting more tax dollars in the year of the new assessment than it collected in the year prior to the new assessment so the county must reduce the millage rate (tax per $100.00) during the new assessment year.
Be sure you understand, the property tax you pay is a combination of #1 your assessed property value, #2 the percentage of that assessment upon which you will pay tax, and #3 the millage rate (tax rate per $100.00) on that percentage. These factors come into play the year after the new assessments when the county is allowed to affix a new millage rate.
Ask yourself exactly what services as a resident outside the incorporated areas do you and I get for the property tax dollars they collect. Sewage? No, not for most portions of the county. Fire protection? Garbage/trash collection? Again no.
Hamilton County areas are quickly being converted from rural to high density subdivisions. Each new home is more costly to construct. Inflation due to increased labor, materials and land have skyrocketed, these homes adds to the tax base, ie, more money due strictly and solely to number of taxable properties. Their current taxable value in itself adds to county tax coffers and also affects the value of existing homes.
I honestly do not know who has the authority to set the Hamilton County property tax millage rate. It seems to me that we home owners, and especially us retired senior citizens, should be concerned with assessment and millage rate because once established they are not likely to be voluntarily reduced. I for one am going to contact my county commissioner. I suggest strongly that you also do so.
I welcome informed correction if I have misstated any above information.
As a footnote, be aware that your assessed property value should be taken in consideration when you renew your home owner's insurance coverage.
Tom Wheatley