What is the width of my road?
The width(s) of our road right of way varies greatly. There isn’t any way for us to accurately describe every situation in this forum please contact the Appanoose County Engineer’s Office. (641)856-6193 Monday – Friday between 7am-3:30pm
What is the dust control policy? Deadline? Applied?
My mailbox was damaged during snow removal will the county replace it?
If it was damaged by snow from plow: No, If the mailbox was actually hit by the plow itself: Yes.
What are the steps for me to get a new driveway?
Please contact the Appanoose County Engineer’s Office. (641)856-6193 Monday – Friday between 7am-3:30pm
What kind of maintenance can I expect on level B or C road?
Level B Ordinance | Level C Ordinance
Will the county survey private property?
The County does not perform surveys for private property owners nor can it recommend one. Please contact a land surveyor.
I have a dead deer in ditch. Who can I call to come to get it?
The Secondary Roads Department will remove it from the line of traffic. Please contact the DNR for removal. (515)281-5918
What is a Homestead Credit?
The homestead credit is a property tax credit for residents of the state of Iowa who owns and occupy their homestead on July 1 and for at least six months of the calendar year. It is a tax credit funded by the State of Iowa for qualifying homeowners.
What is a Military Exemption?
Veterans who served in active duty and who were honorably discharged are eligible to receive a military exemption on their property taxes. If you served in the military and were on active duty for 18 months you are eligible for a military exemption. Former and current members of the Iowa National Guard and reserve forces need not have performed active duty if they served at least 20 years.
How do I apply or find out if I qualify for the Homestead Credit or Military Exemption?
Your local assessor has forms that you need to complete, sign, and file for the homestead credit and/or military exemption.
What other Credits and Exemptions may I be eligible for?
Please contact the Assessor’s Office.
How does the Assessor determine the value of my property?
Depending on the classification of the property, the assessment is to represent the market value of the property unless otherwise provided by the Iowa Code. Residential, agricultural dwellings, commercial, industrial classed, and multi-residential properties are to be assessed at market value. Changes in market value as indicated by research, sales ratio studies and analysis of local conditions as well as economic trends both in and outside the construction industry are used in determining your assessment. Agricultural land and buildings are valued on productivity and net earning capacity.
What is property classification?
Real estate parcels are annually assigned a property classification by the assessor. This classification is to be consistent with the primary use of the property. There are four classifications of property in Iowa. These classes are agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial and multi-residential. Classification may not necessarily be the same as the zoning of the property.
What is Market Value?
Market value of a property is an estimate of the price that it would sell for on the open market on January 1st of the year of assessment. This is sometimes referred to as the ‘arms-length transaction’ or ‘willing buyer/willing seller’ concept.
When are Assessment Notices mailed?
Assessment notices are mailed on or before April 1st whenever there is a change in assessment to a taxpayer’s property.
What do I do if I disagree with the Assessed Value of my property?
Property owners who would like to challenge their assessment may file a written appeal with the local board of review between April 7th and May 5th . In odd-numbered years when an equalization order is issued by the Department of Revenue, property owners may file a written appeal between October 16th and October 25th. Petition forms to the board of review are available at the local assessor’s office.
What is the Board of Review and who are the members?
The local board of review is composed of either three or five members who are familiar with local market conditions and trends. According to Iowa law, one member must be a farmer, one a licensed real estate broker, and one a registered architect or contractor. The board of review reviews all petitions and has the power to confirm or to adjust upward or downward any assessment. The Board operates independently of the Assessor’s office.
What is the Property Assessment Appeal Board?
The Property Assessment Appeal Board (PAAB) is a state agency created for the purpose of establishing a consistent, fair and equitable property assessment appeal process. Decisions of the local Board of Review may be appealed to PAAB.
What is an Equalization Order?
The Iowa Department of Revenue imposes equalization orders in odd-numbered years for each property class, except industrial, in each of the 107 assessing jurisdictions. Equalization is accomplished by increasing or decreasing the aggregate valuations for certain classes of property within assessing jurisdictions by the percentage necessary to adjust the level of assessment to actual value.
How will I know if my property receives an Equalization Order?
A notice will be issued in each jurisdiction receiving an equalization order. The notice will be published in the newspaper which is the “official publication” for the jurisdiction. The press release will be issued on or around October 1st in odd-numbered years.
My assessment has not changed, why have my property taxes increased?
Each year, assessed values are subject to a rollback factor determined by the Director of Revenue creating a taxable value. Property tax is calculated by applying a levy rate to the taxable value. Levy rates and rollbacks change from year to year therefore adjusting the amount of property tax.
What is Taxable Value?
Taxable value is the value determined by the county auditor after application of a rollback factor to the assessed value. Taxable value is calculated by multiplying the rollback rate for the correct property class by the equalized 100% actual value.
What is a Rollback?
The rollback rate is a statewide rate set annually for each property class by the Iowa Department of Revenue.
What is a Levy Rate?
There are a number of different taxing districts in a jurisdiction, each with a different levy rate. Each year the county auditor determines for that district a levy rate that will yield enough money to fund the different entities in that district. The entities include local schools, counties, cities, townships, community colleges, local assessors, and others. Since more than one taxing authority is calculating a tax rate for the property, all the rates are added together, resulting in a single tax levy called a consolidated levy. This consolidated levy is always the result of two or more tax rates established by different government entities.