Op-Ed: A Call for Transparency and Fairness in Lake County Property Reappraisals
By John Marra, Mayor of Timberlake, Ohio 10/18/24
Residents of Lake County, we are facing a critical issue that has the potential to affect every homeowner in our community—property ta reappraisals. Recently, the Lake County Auditor’s office conducted a sexennial reappraisal, resulting in significant increases in property values. Some homeowners, myself included, have seen their property values spike, and many well over 100% in just a year’s time.
While property values naturally fluctuate over time, these kinds of dramatic increases raise serious concerns about the process that is being used to determine the new valuations. As a resident, and as the Mayor of the Village of Timberlake, I feel obligated to speak out and ask for transparency and fairness from our local government.
One of the most concerning aspects of these reappraisals is that they are forcing residents to pay taxes on unrealized gains. These are not gains that we’ve cashed in on by selling our homes—these are paper gains based on fluctuating market conditions. For most of us, we are simply trying to live in our homes, not profit from them. Yet, we are being taxed as though we’ve made a financial gain when, in reality, we’ve realized nothing. This type of taxation is inherently unfair, as it places an additional burden on residents without any corresponding benefit.
The reappraisals were conducted by an outside vendor, using a method known as “mass appraisal.” Essentially, these appraisals were done without any physical inspections of individual properties. Instead, they relied solely on computerized data and sales statistics from the surrounding neighborhood. While this may seem like an efficient process, the data is inherently flawed.
Here’s why: no two properties are exactly alike. Some homes may have significant structural issues, deferred maintenance, or other factors that would lower their value—none of which can be captured by a computer model. On the other hand, some properties may have undergone major improvements or renovations that could increase their value, which might also go unnoticed. The fact is, a computer cannot see the true condition of your home.
Even more troubling is the fact that the preliminary informal review process is conducted by the same third-party company that performed the reappraisal. They only verify home dimensions and do not address the substantial increases in land value. This overvaluation of land is nothing more than a money grab without the vote of the people. In many cases, there are no comparable land sales (comps) to justify these inflated values. We are then forced to wait for the formal review process to file an appeal, which only adds to the frustration and anxiety homeowners are already feeling.
In a fair system, properties should be assessed based on their actual condition, and that requires human oversight—on-site inspections, not just algorithms. The decision to skip physical inspections for such a critical process undermines the accuracy of these assessments and, more importantly, it undermines trust in the system.
What’s more concerning is the lack of transparency surrounding these reappraisals. When I reached out to the Lake County Auditor’s office for clarity on how my property’s new value was determined, I was given vague responses and was directed to a series of online databases, without the tools to properly analyze the data. This is not how a government should operate, especially when dealing with something as important as property taxes.
The stakes are high. Property taxes directly impact the financial well-being of every homeowner. For those on fixed incomes, such as seniors, a sudden spike in property taxes can create real financial hardship. Working families, already facing rising costs for essentials, may find themselves struggling to keep up with the new tax burden. This is especially problematic when we are being taxed on these unrealized gains, which we haven’t yet benefited from. And when taxes become too high, it discourages investment in our homes and neighborhoods. People may be forced to sell or even leave the area. This is not the Lake County we want.
I believe it is time for all of us, as residents, to demand more from our local government. We must push for a reappraisal process that is transparent, equitable, and thorough. At the very least, there should be on-site inspections for properties where valuations have significantly increased. We should also have full access to the methodology and criteria used by the outside vendor responsible for determining these new values.
More importantly, we need to ensure that the process is fair for everyone. A “one-size-fits-all” approach to property assessments doesn’t work for a community as diverse as ours. Our homes are more than just numbers on a spreadsheet—they are where we live, raise families, and build memories. They deserve to be valued fairly and accurately.
I encourage my fellow residents to make your voices heard. If you believe your property’s valuation is unfair, you have the right to challenge it. The Auditor’s office offers an informal review process, which has now passed, however, you can file a formal appeal with the Board of Revision in January. But we must go beyond individual action—this is an issue that affects all of us. We should work together to demand a more accountable and transparent process for everyone in Lake County.
In closing, I call on the Lake County Auditor’s office to address these concerns and take action to restore faith in this essential process. We are not asking for special treatment—just for fairness, transparency, and respect for the people who call Lake County home.
John Marra
Mayor, Village of Timberlake
Editorial Opinion by Brian Massie, A Watchman on the Wall
The whole system of taxation of property needs to be revamped or totally eliminated. The use of third party appraiser that can control the destiny of citizens without being held accountable to the citizens is not acceptable.
Many Ohio State legislators and County Auditors believe that if you cannot afford your home you should sell it and move into an apartment!
Any significant changes in our taxation system will have to be a citizens’ led initiative because legislators are too afraid of the donor class, i.e.: school unions.
ANY TAX THAT CAN CAUSE A CITIZEN TO BECOME HOMELESS IS IMMORAL!
Remember the immortal words of former State Representative Ron Young:
Categories: Community Activism, Contributors, Lake County - General, Uncategorized