Services

This year the decline in the housing market will be reflected when assessment notices are mailed to each resident in late February. Most residential assessments in the City of the Village of Douglas will see a decrease in 2010, this decrease will apply to those areas where properties have been sold for less than double the assessed value and sold within the past year. The changes to those properties affected will be determined by the average relationship of sale price to assessment. In areas where sales have been limited or non-existent, the average change in surrounding neighborhoods will be taken into consideration when determining the percentage change in assessment.

As required the Constitution (Proposal A Amendment), there is a predetermined rate of change that is used as the basis for determining taxes. The CPI (Consumer Price Index) for the year 2010 is -0.3%, this rate will be applied to the 2009 taxable value when determining the 2010 taxable value for a property. If the assessed and taxable values are the same, and the assessed value is reduced more than the CPI, these two values will continue to be equal. The CPI does not apply to properties that have sold or made improvements during the year.

Assessment Change Notices (State Form #L-4400) are mailed the last week of February. When you receive this notice, please review it carefully, in addition to value changes the notice will indicate your principle residence status and property transfer status classification.

The Board of Review will meet March 10 and 12, 2010 to hear appeals; appeals are by appointment only. If, after you have received your Assessment Change Notice, you believe the assessed value of your property does not accurately reflect the market value for that property, please call 269-857-1438 to schedule a Board of Review appointment.