As part of State Tax Commission requirements the Kimball Township assessing department will be doing inspections of 20% of the properties in each assessing classification. This is per State Tax Commission Memorandum dated February 09, 2010 with the subject “Policy Regarding Annual Inspection of Property”, as well as Bulletin 2 of 2014 dated February 10, 2014.
The State Tax Commission website also indicates the following regarding the definition of Annual Inspections:
While there is not an official definition of “Annual Inspections” the Commission continues to “encourage” assessors to utilize a combination of physical methods to accurately inspect properties on an annual basis. Acceptable inspection methods include, but are not limited to enter the property that is being inspected and interviewing the property owner. An annual inspection should also include physically inspecting properties in which a building permit has been issued. A simple “Drive-by-Review” would not be included as an acceptable part of an annual inspection as it would not include any actual physical inspection of property. Please keep in mind that the “goal” of the inspection is to accurately record property information to all parcels within a local unit on a regular basis.
To meet State Tax Commission requirement, the assessing department will be inspecting properties in the sections 14-36. The sections are generally located as follows:
Section 14: N/S: Griswold and Dove; E/W: Wadhams and Allen
Section 15: N/S: Griswold and Dove; E/W: Ditty and Wadhams
Section 16: N/S: Griswold and Dove; E/W: Dunlop and Ditty
Section 17: N/S: Griswold and Dove; E/W: Richman and Dunlop
Section 18: N/S: Griswold and Dove; E/W: Mayer and Richman
Section 19: N/S: Dove and Ravenswood; E/W: Mayer and Richman
Section 20: N/S: Dove and Ravenswood; E/W: Richman and Dunlop
Section 21: N/S: Dove and Ravenswood; E/W: Sturdevant and Ditty
Section 22: N/S: Dove and Ravenswood; E/W: Pine River and Wadhams
Section 23: N/S: Dove and Ravenswood; E/W: Wadhams and Allen
Section 24: N/S: Dove and Ravenswood; E/W: Allen and Range
Section 25: N/S: Ravenswood and Smiths Creek; E/W: Range and Allen
Section 26: N/S: Ravenswood and Smiths Creek; E/W: Allen and Wadhams
Section 27: N/S: Ravenswood and Smiths Creek; E/W: Wadhams and Pine River
Section 28: N/S: Ravenswood and Smiths Creek; E/W: Pine River and Sturdevant
Section 29: N/S: Ravenswood and Smiths Creek; E/W: Sturdevant and Richman
Section 30: N/S: Ravenswood and Smiths Creek; E/W: Richman and Mayer
Section 31: N/S: Smiths Creek and Yager; E/W: Richman and Mayer
Section 32: N/S: Smiths Creek and Yager; E/W: Sturdevant and Richman
Section 33: N/S: Smiths Creek and Yager; E/W: Pine River and Sturdevant
Section 34: N/S: Smiths Creek and Yager; E/W: Wadhams and Pine River
Section 35: N/S: Smiths Creek and Yager; E/W: Allen and Wadhams
Section 36: N/S: Smiths Creek and Yager; E/W: Range and Allen
Your section is the third set of number in your property tax ID. The inspections will be completed between May and October.
The State Tax Commission in Bulletin 2 of 2014 provides the following rules for the assessor or staff while on your property:
The Assessor and all field staff members working on the inspection should carry a photo identification card produced by the local unit at all time to present to property owners during their inspection. The State Tax Commission recommends that door hangers be left on every door hen a property owner is not on premise during the inspection. Door hangers will inform property owners that an inspection of their property has been completed in accordance with the introduction letter. Local unit contact information should be included on the door hangers to inform property owners where to direct questions. If the property owner is on premise but did not hear the knock or doorbell, leaving a door hanger shows that you made a good faith effort to ask for permission to measure before walking around their house and property.
Assessors are advised of the following:
- There are no circumstances under which it is proper for an assessing officer or field staff member to look in the windows of a home or property.
- If a taxpayer requests that an assessing officer or field staff member leave their property, they should do so immediately and without question.
- Assessing officers must follow statutory requirements when determining new, loss, additions and losses to a property. Those determinations must be based on supporting evidence. The State Tax Commission has an established complaint and discipline process that will address any circumstance when an assessing officer does not follow statutory requirements, State Tax Commission Guidelines or State Tax Commission Rules in the performance of their duties.
- As indicated on the Audit of Minimum Assessing Requirements (AMAR) review sheet, failure to meet one or more of the minimum AMAR requirements does not automatically result in State Tax Commission assumption of jurisdiction of the assessment roll.
- The State Tax Commission has determined that record cards must meet a minimum of 90% accuracy. Accuracy is determined through a random record card review conducted during the AMAR. Accuracy is a weighted measure determined through examination of the exterior elements of a property. This includes but is not limited to: class of construction, square footage, listing of improvements (garages, decks, porches, etc).
Keep in mind an accurate record card is the only way to insure a fair assessment of your property. If you have questions or would prefer to schedule a date and time for the assessing department to do their inspection, please contact our Assessor, Peggy Chamber at 810-987-9797 ext. 128
