The new property values are all part of a court-ordered countywide reassessment.
“The most important thing for people to look at is: Do they think they could have sold their house last summer for the value that is their new assessment," Delaware County Councilwoman Christine Reuther said.
Reuther said the key thing to remember is the county, municipalities and school districts all have to stay revenue-neutral, meaning they have to wait until all the new values are finalized to determine a tax-rate that makes sure they’re not bringing in any more revenue than they would have before the reassessment.
She said people can appeal their assessment value through Sept. 1. There is no charge for an appeal. And, she said, while they will review recent sales comps or an appraisal, “What you can’t do is say, 'How come my neighbor's assessment is lower than mine?' Because that’s not something the board of assessments is going to consider.”
The new property values are public record, and the data will be posted on the county’s website.
Reuther said these numbers are preliminary and will not be finalized until the appeals process is complete, likely in December. Then the county, school districts and municipalities can finalize their rates.
An appeal form, as well as rules for an appeal, are available on the county’s website
Because of public safety measures related to COVID-19, the county is offering hearings by phone or online in addition to in-person hearings.