Jul 29, 2009 4 min read

(Editor’s note: This is a letter that Fayette County Commissioner Vince Zapotosky wrote to Fayette County’s Chief Assessor Jim Hercik) Dear Jim, As the newly elected commissioner, I have been faced with many challenges, not to mention many questions, regarding county operations. I can say without reservation that the current reassessment leads the league in both categories.

While I understand the need to keep property values equal and that what was done in 2003 was decades overdue – I applaud the commissioners at that time for undertaking such a program – I feel that the current reassessment leaves not just me but the people we serve with many questions and, worst yet, the fear of not being able to withstand a tax increase and still maintain their general expenses, leaving them with the chance of falling behind financially.

The first glaring fact is that over 27 percent of property values increased by 51 percent or more and in some case values exceeded 100 percent. My concern is how that could be the case in such a short period of time since the last values were reviewed in 2003 using 2001 values. I realize things go up, but this exceeds any rate of inflation or the consumer price index (CPI).

Second, some homes on the same street and basically the same type of home had values that I would refer to as “rollercoaster.” Some went down or remained the same,and others went up.

Third, mobile homes, which I understand depreciate, went up and in some cases doubled. In areas we refer to as “patches,” homes increased in value and in one specific case a home went from $32,000 to $56,000.

I am certain the homeowners I spoke to would take the price that was assessed and sell today, but they know that something would have to freeze over before they could get that price, especially in the current housing market.

I know that a large percentage of properties stayed the same or decreased, but I felt this should be a higher number based on the reassessment being done just a few years ago, and don’t forget the overall decline of the economy of the United States and the decline of home values based on the crisis in our financial institutions

I realize that appeals can be filed, but my concern is that we put the burden on the owner to show the board that the values are incorrect. Perhaps the burden should be on the county as well.

These are tough times for the people of this county. With the state budget still being debated and the biggest question of that debate being education funding, I fear that we will be putting those especially on fixed incomes or those who have been hit hardest by the economic decline in a very bad position during the next several years.

I am not saying that I am against reassessment if done right. I know we need to keep values current and fair, but I am saying I will not see people suffer through no fault of their own. Home/property ownership is a part of the American dream. We should not make it a nightmare.

I realize mistakes were made, and the appeals process will address mistakes. My concern is not just those who may appeal but those who may not know how to appeal or those who in some cases may not appeal based on not truly understanding the process.

In closing, I ask you to provide a response that clearly shows that this was done in a manner that should have complemented the 2003 reassessment and provided details to show that the audit done prior to notices being sent out show evaluations were done correctly.

You and your staff worked hard on this, and I commend you all and I know you feel this was done correctly, but I believe we need to rethink what we have done and when we did it.

These are very rough times and the road looks like it will be bumpy for a few more years. I ask you as well as my colleagues to work with me to make this right for the people of Fayette County.

Sincerely,

Commissioner

Vince Zapotosky