Washington County Property owners received notice from County Assessor Christy Tinnes that the assessed valuations of their properties have been increased by 7.9% industrial to 45% for ag land.

The average residential and ag buildings (9,689 units) had an average increase of 26.3% countywide, according to Tinnes.  Residential R3+ (apartment buildings and mobile trailer parks) received an estimated increase of 19% and the 861 commercial properties in the county received an average increase of 14%.

Residential valuations (not including ag land and dwellings on ag land) were up 19.8% in Kalona, 17.7% in Wellman, 20.48% in Riverside and 18.37% in Washington.   See Chart on page 7 for breakdown of other valuations by classification. 

Why are the assessed values being increased at this time?

“The increases are based on area sales, though these increases are not isolated to Washington County,” Tinnes said.  “The market increases in 2022 have been throughout the state.  We have sales information and search capabilities available on our county websites for tax payers to review property values and area sales.”

“The ag land and building changes are based on a five year average productivity value, which is determined and issued by the state,” she added.

The 2023 assessments will be used to determine taxes for the fall of 2024 & the spring of 2025, according to Tinnes.

How do people protest? 

“If taxpayers would like to protest their values,” Tinnes said, “we suggest asking for an informal review by our office between April 2 and April 25.”  

“If the assessor and property owner can come to an agreement after review, an informal agreement form can be signed to change the valuation for the new assessment year,” Tinnes said. “If no agreement is made, the owner may file an appeal with the Board of Review.”

Petitions to the Board of Review are accepted from April 2 to April 30.

The Board of Review meets during the month of May.  The members are Charla Howard, Mary Ann Knupp and Mark Wood.

Are these figures subject to any kind of state order roll backs? 

“All classifications will be subject to a state rollback or assessment limitation, though those percentages will not be issued until this fall,” Tinnes pointed out. 

“Since the entire state has seen increases in assessed values in all classifications, the amount of value which can be taxed should decrease to offset some of the increase,” she added. 

County treasurer Jeff Garrett explained that “the State limits how much taxable values can increase every year.  This is why the ‘Rollback’ percentage changes every year.  Therefore, the increases in assessed values do not necessarily mean taxes for any one specific parcel will increase.”

  “Beginning next year, the Multi-Residential rollback will be the same as residential,” Garrett said. “The Commercial/Industrial rollback is being phased out completely.  We are in year one of a 7-year phase out (final reimbursement will be in FY29).  These payments are also now paid out differently, with the State paying some authorities directly, making it difficult to determine exactly what future payments will be.”

Garrett said Washington County Rural and Urban authorities received $164,261.00 in FY22 and $143,728.33 in FY23 (12.50% decrease) from the state.  

This will go to $0.00 in FY30, he added.