Government accountability begins with an informed public. The more residents understand how property assessments and taxes work, the better equipped they are to ask questions, participate in their communities, and hold government accountable.
“I’m not just asking for your vote. I’m giving you the tools to better understand and participate in the system yourself.”
Below are several ways you can become more engaged:
Review Your Property Record
Verify your property’s characteristics, measurements, and information maintained by the Assessor’s Office.
Understand Your Assessment
Learn how assessed values are determined and review the information used in valuing your property.
Compare Similar Properties
Review publicly available property information to better understand how assessments are being applied within your community.
Learn About Exemptions
Explore available property tax exemption and relief programs that may apply to you or your family.
Ask Questions
If something does not make sense, ask. Government should be willing to explain its processes and decisions in a manner that is understandable to the public.
Understand Your Appeal Rights
Learn about the assessment appeal process, applicable timelines, and the information that may be relevant when questioning an assessment.
Stay Involved
Attend public meetings, engage with your elected officials, review public information, and participate in the democratic process.
An engaged and informed public helps build better government for everyone.
Never assume that government automatically gets it right. Every property owner should review their assessment, understand their property information, and question outcomes that do not make sense.
Assessment systems rely on data, assumptions, and standardized methodologies that cannot perfectly account for every property or circumstance. That is precisely why transparency, public participation, and the ability to ask questions are so important.
Silence often leads to complacency. Accountability improves when residents stay informed, seek answers, and are willing to question what they do not understand.
Know your rights. Stay informed. Get engaged and if you believe the assessments are incorrect, absolutely appeal them.