Written by Terricha Phillips
Cuyahoga County —Property owners had a collective draw drop when reading their new property valuations mailed to homes earlier this month. The results of the Sexennial Reappraisal, pending approval by the state of Ohio, show an average increase of 32 percent in home values across the county, ranging from 15 percent in Hunting Valley to 67 percent in East Cleveland, according to a press release by the city of Cleveland. If worries arise, the city wants the public to understand an increase in property valuations does not mean property taxes will increase. However, many property owners will see higher tax bills.
Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne said this process is vital to the communities because property valuations determine property taxes which funds schools, parks, libraries, local government and other essential public services. “But changes in property taxes can have a significant impact on homeowners,” he said. “We are providing detailed information and tools to help residents navigate these changes and challenge incorrect valuations. We will also ensure that all of our residents have access to resources that can help alleviate the financial challenges associated with higher tax bills.”
During a live question and answer session on social media, Cuyahoga County officials gave an example of how property values were estimated. For example, the appraisal considers 35 percent of a home’s market value to determine the valuation amount. According to a Cleveland.com report cited during the session, the average sale price in Cuyahoga County in June was $200,000.
Property owners can estimate new property taxes here and individuals who want the Appraisal Department to reconsider the proposed valuation can file for an informal review by the end of August. The city says informal reviews will be completed in November, and tax bills will be ready in December. Complaints can be filed with the Board of Revision from January through March 2025.
To help residents understand the valuation process, Cuyahoga County will host four informational sessions to discuss updated valuations and property taxes. All events are open to the public and run through August, so residents are encouraged to attend.
“By bringing the Sexennial Reappraisal Information Sessions into the communities, we hope to leave property owners with the knowledge they need to not only understand the reappraisal process and changes to taxes, but also the tools to contest changes in valuation,” said Michael Chambers, the county’s fiscal officer.
When filing a formal tax complaint, the property owner must provide documents to support their opinion of their value, then the Board of Revision will schedule a hearing.
Additional resources for residents, including the Homestead Exemption, Military Deferment and Owner Occupancy Credit can be found here.
The Complaint Process:
Residential property owners who want to contest their valuation have two options:
1. Informal Review Complaint July 1 – August 30, 2024 (must be in by August 30th)
File an Informal Review Complaint with the Appraisal Department by one of the
following ways:
• File electronically through the Informal Review Portal
• Via U.S. Mail
• Delivered in person to the Fiscal Office
Cuyahoga County Administrative Building
2079 E. 9th Street, 3rd Floor
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
2. Formal Tax Complaint
January 1 – March 31, 2024
File a Formal Tax Complaint against the valuation of Real Property by one of the
following ways:
• Electronically with a DTE Form 1 through the Cuyahoga County Board of
Revision during the complaint filing period
• Via U.S. Mail, email (BORinfo@cuyahogacounty.us) or fax (216-443-8282)
• Delivered in person to the Board of Revision
Cuyahoga County Administrative Building
2079 E. 9th Street, 2nd Floor
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Story originally published August 1, 2024
