By now all property owners in Greene County have received their land assessments.

Some residents may have seen a shock as there was a major increase in assessed values. Greene County Assessor Adam Smith tells Raccoon Valley Radio most of the reason for the large increases in assessments is due to the sale transactions that took place in 2022 and having to assess properties of what the market values are for last year. Smith believes this is the highest assessment he’s seen with the Greene County Assessor’s Office. 

“This is the highest number and I believe it’s all across the state. Greene County saw a little more than some other counties and a lot of that has to do with inventory. Anything that went on the market in 2022 was gone, pretty much gone in a week or two, not many of them sat there. That has to do with availability, what’s available? In some bigger counties or communities you’re going to see a lot more available, and people can be a little more choosey.”      

Smith points out that just because someone’s assessment saw a major jump this year, doesn’t mean they will have to pay that same increase in property taxes.

“Now there’s what’s called the state rollback and that is determined through the Iowa Department of Revenue, and that is the amount of taxable value. So if you’re looking at your tax statement you’ll see the assessed value of your home and then the next column is the taxable value. Now that rollback number is not allowed to grow over three-percent.”

Smith adds residents have until April 25th to contact his office to do an informal review of their assessment. They can also fill out a petition to the local board of review and have that three-member board consider any assessment issues. Residents have until April 30th for that review process, which you can click here to access the form.