Here is an article written by Dakotah Kennedy of Signal Cleveland that reinforces the problems with property taxes in Cuyahoga County.

For nearly six months, thousands of residents have expressed their frustration with rising property values for their Cuyahoga County homes. Over the summer, roughly 20,000 homeowners filed complaints in hopes of getting the county to reduce the value and lower their tax bill. 

The county’s informal process invited homeowners to essentially throw spaghetti at the wall and see what stuck. It’s a way residents could avoid paying for a private appraisal to argue the county’s value was too high. For example, a homeowner could submit photos of damage that needed to be repaired. 

In November, the county started sending out responses to the complaints. Out of 20,367 complaints, about 14,000 received some reduction in value, according to County Fiscal Officer Mike Chambers. Most reductions were about $23,900, he said.

On average, county residents saw a 32% increase in property values. Inner-ring suburbs such as East Cleveland and Mayfield Heights saw property values nearly double.

For months, many people – including county and state officials – have tried to sound the alarm on how rising property taxes will affect people on fixed incomes. Seniors and people with disabilities who rely on government subsidies are the most likely to struggle to afford even the slightest increase.

Previously, homeowners could use the county’s tax calculator to estimate how much taxes would increase. The county took down the calculator “to avoid confusion,” according to a county spokesperson. 

Residents – regardless of whether they received a reduction – have continued to write Signal Cleveland about their concerns.

Homeowners who have not received their new value notice by Dec. 14 should call the appraisal office at (216) 443-7420 option 3. All taxpayers’ new values will be on the county’s website by the end of December, according to Chambers.

Here’s what residents said about rising property values.

At 71 years old, Susan Swalius is disabled and lives on a fixed income in Garfield Heights. She told Signal Cleveland that she doesn’t know whether she’ll be able to afford the property tax increase. Right now, she pays about $300 a month – roughly 20% of her income – toward her mortgage. 

This year, her property value more than doubled from about $45,000 to $107,000. On average, property values in Garfield Heights increased 52%. 

“I’m screwed,” said Swalius, who bought her house in 1988. “My income is so small that I might have to walk away after 35 years. Where am I gonna go for that rent?”

Swalius filed an appeal in August and received a reduction on Dec. 11. According to the county, her new home value is $93,000. 

“It’s still a far cry from the current value,” she said.

Another resident, Marcy Cahill from Olmsted Falls, called the increase “arbitrary and massive.” She’s lived in her house since 1997 and said she has no plans to sell it. The new value of her home is $470,000; previously her home was valued at about $300,000.

Even if we were selling – which we are not – who is going to pay that much for my house?” Marcy Cahill, Olmsted Falls

Cahill submitted an informal complaint but said the county did not approve a reduction.

Some homeowners did use a private appraisal to contest the one done by the county. For example, John Gooding said he paid $300 to have his Bellaire-Puritas home re-appraised. The county accepted it, dropping his value from a 33% increase to only 17%.

“I am happy, but I still believe property tax valuation should be frozen at the rate when one turns 65,” Gooding, who is 76 years old, told Signal Cleveland. 

George Chromik, a Seven Hills resident, wrote Signal Cleveland in July to request help navigating the county’s informal complaint process. He’s owned his home since 2009 and said that his “new” property value would have raised his taxes by $972 per year, a 26% increase.

The county approved a $16,300 reduction, which he said should translate to only $638 per year in additional taxes. Chromik helped his friend submit a complaint, but the county did not lower their property value. 

“I actually thought his informal complaint was a much more convincing case,” he said.

Although Chromik isn’t sure whether he’ll appeal again in 2025, he said he plans on helping his friend take another swing at a reduction through the formal review process.

“It’s an uphill battle, but it is worth a try,” Chromik said.

Homeowners can file a formal appeal of their property value

The “formal process” runs from Jan. 1 to March 31, 2025. Any homeowner can participate, regardless of whether they filed an informal appeal in August. 

The formal process requires more types of documentation. Unlike the informal process, the formal one comes with more risks. For example, a re-appraisal could make the value rise even more. 

Here are some examples of the types of evidence the Board of Revision will consider:

• Recent or “arms-length” sale
• Authenticated appraisal report
• Estimates from a certified contractor
• Photos of the property or comparable properties

Homeowners will be able to submit their formal appeals to 2079 E. 9th Street or by email at BORinfo@cuyahogacounty.us.

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