Central - Saturday, July 19, 2008 15:01 - 0 Comments

Wayne County property taxes dip an average of 40 percent

Homeowners’ taxes will decrease on average, but other types are going up

BY PAM THARP • CORRESPONDENT • July 18, 2008

When property tax bills arrive at the end of this month, many Wayne County homeowners will see what they’ve been hoping for: lower property tax bills.

The Department of Local Government Finance estimates an average reduction of 40.7 percent in homestead taxes in Wayne County in 2008, compared to 2007 bills.

Wayne County Treasurer Linda Corder expects to start mailing property tax statements on July 25 and finish by July 31. The first installment of property taxes is due Aug. 22 and the fall installment will be due Nov. 10.

Corder expects happy homeowners to be lined up at the treasurer’s counter in the annex building, followed by unhappy landlords and other property owners. Reduction in homeowners’ taxes may mean increases for other tax categories, including rental housing, agriculture and commercial properties.

“We expect a lot of questions. Homeowners are going to think we’re great, but landlords won’t,” Corder said.

Auditor Karen Stevens said releasing DLGF’s estimate of the average reduction in homeowners’ bills will only increase phone calls to her office. Those whose bills don’t go down 40 percent will want to know why, even though that number is only an average, she said.

Homeowner tax relief in Wayne County exceeds the statewide estimated decrease of 30 percent and is higher than the 32 percent reduction DLGF initially estimated for Wayne County, based on assessed property values certified with the budget order.

The average reduction is higher now because total assessed property values declined since the budget order was issued, said DLGF spokesperson Mary Jane Michalak. The lower values were included in the abstract, a summary of all taxes owed, which was recently submitted by the auditor’s office to the DLGF, Michalak said.

The amount of reduction in assessed value was not immediately available Thursday.

Property owners will be able to compare their 2008 and 2007 bills without hunting for the old bill. A new form will be included with tax bills, a state-required “comparison statement.” The statement shows the gross assessed value of the property, any deductions, the tax rates and the amount of state property tax relief, as well as the net tax due.

Homeowner tax relief was increased by the General Assembly’s adoption this year of House Bill 1001. Homeowners’ taxes are being reduced by the one-cent increase in the sales tax and revenue generated by casino licensing fees at horse race tracks.

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