Future tax bills could be a different scenario, though, because Graham County will do its own market studies. In the past, those studies were done by the Arizona Department of Revenue, Alder said.
She explained how the figures on the most recent tax bills were derived. The tax bills are based on assessed values determined between January 2007 and June 2008. During that time frame, property values climbed as the Gila Valley celebrated the opening of the Freeport-McMoRan copper mine north of Safford.
Many property owners either did not question their tax notices or did not realize they had only 60 days to appeal, Alder said.
Property assessments are based on real estate sales, and it's those sales that drive the market and property values.
When Freeport began laying off workers from its mines in Safford and Morenci in November 2008, the real estate bubble in the Gila Valley burst.
"The values shot up like a rocket and dropped like a rock," Alder said.
This "perfect storm" of a declining real estate market was not reflected in the 2009 tax bill because that bill is based on values through June 2008. The current property values will not be reflected until the 2010 tax bill, Alder said.
"I feel bad for the property owners," she said.
While there is little Alder can do about the 2009 tax bill, she encourages property owners to call 428-2828 or visit her office so the bill can be reviewed for errors.
In the meantime, Alder wants to help property owners prepare for future tax bills. For example, Graham County will use its own computer software for record-keeping and assessments instead of depending on the Arizona Department of Revenue.
The local government will also calculate its own market values because personnel at the local assessor's office are more knowledgeable about Graham County than officials who reside in the Phoenix area, Alder said.
Property owners can do their part to make sure their tax bills are fair. Alder stressed they should carefully examine their tax notices — even if they are for bills that will be sent out in about 18 months. Property owners who disagree with their tax notices have 60 days to appeal, Alder said.
The assessor said she wants to speak at clubs, church groups and service organizations about Arizona property tax laws and what people can do to make sure they are taxed fairly.
"I recognize the burden," Alder said. "I don't take it lightly."
Popular Searches
Comments
13 comment(s)Pima Oldtimer wrote on Nov 2, 2009 6:19 PM:
slow cooked in Solomon wrote on Oct 27, 2009 3:01 PM:
The local team of Rhodes and Alexander were the brains and money behind our new Assessor. Just ask Darlene how much her election cost her ... she doesn't know!! But Alexander knows.
Rhodes said he'd get rid of Jackie. Hope ya'll like his choice cause listening to him is costing you $$$
That's why I'll never sponsor another table at his Lincoln Day Dinner again!! And if the BoS boys don't do something about him, they'll not keep their jobs next election. "
hitchcock wrote on Oct 26, 2009 10:12 PM:
Bill wrote on Oct 26, 2009 8:34 AM:
to investigate wrote on Oct 25, 2009 10:16 PM:
Ignernt redneck voter wrote on Oct 23, 2009 9:38 PM:
Invesigate wrote on Oct 23, 2009 9:09 PM:
Shady Madam wrote on Oct 22, 2009 9:30 PM:
tax paying citizen wrote on Oct 22, 2009 4:22 PM:
Carol wrote on Oct 22, 2009 1:55 PM:
Glad I Kept the Paper wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:05 AM:
permits an Assessor to use the same value for up to 3 years. I voted for ya - now I want to know why you're not doing the things you insinuated that you would come accross with. "
Steve from Pima wrote on Oct 21, 2009 10:35 PM:
tax payer wrote on Oct 21, 2009 5:01 PM: