Contributed Article

Graham County Assessor Jacque Attaway mailed the 2009 Notices of Value on Feb. 15 to approximately 15,902 property owners in Graham County.

The 2009 Notice of Value is the county’s official declaration of Full Cash Value and Limited Property Value Assessments. By Arizona State Statute this notice must be mailed before March 1 of the year prior to the tax year. The notice includes values for both 2008 and 2009 to allow all property owners to easily recognize any change in assessed value from the previous year. Per Arizona Revised Statutes 42-11054, the Arizona Department of Revenue prescribes guidelines for applying standard appraisal methods and techniques that shall be used by all 15 county assessors in determining the valuation of property. Additionally, each county has its values reviewed annually by the Arizona Department of Revenue to make sure it conforms to the required standards.

This is known as a Sales Ratio Study and is based on a review of actual sales compared to assessed value. There is a mandatory compliance for all locally assessed property to be assessed at 82 percent of market, and the market is established with the buying and selling of property by the general public.

All changes in one’s assessment reflect changes in Graham County market conditions between Janu-ary 2006 and June of 2007. This again is mandated by Arizona Revised Statutes 42-13005 and observed by all 15 counties.

During this period, 1,710 sales affidavits, including commercial, vacant land, residential and manufactured homes, were recorded and sent to the assessor’s office.

Attaway said, “In a very busy market, my staff and I have worked diligently to follow the law and yet provide you with a fair assessment of your property for tax year 2009. We have seen record sales in Graham County in the number as well as the dollar amount for commercial, vacant land and residential property.”

The County Assessor’s office has programs that could possibly benefit the property owner once qualifications have been met, such as the Senior Freeze Program. Attaway said her staff will be happy to answer questions concerning the qualifications for people 65 and older.

Those who believe that the value placed on their property for the 2009 tax year is higher than market value may file an appeal with the assessor’s office by Tuesday, April 15, 2008. They must be prepared to produce proof of comparable sales to support their requested value.

Appeal forms can be picked up at the assessor’s office.

For questions concerning this process contact the assessor’s office at 428-2828.