Some county residents to get visit from appraisers

LISBON - Property owners in Franklin, Wayne and Washington townships can expect visits soon from appraisers working on Columbiana County's revaluation of real estate, which is required every six years to ensure proper values for tax purposes.

Personnel working on behalf of the county through John G. Cleminshaw Inc. will travel door-to-door inspecting the exterior of properties, measuring the outside of the buildings and questioning property owners about the interior, such as the number of bedrooms.

The visits will take place between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Since starting the revaluation process in June, appraisers have inspected properties in Knox, Butler, West and Hanover townships. Once Franklin, Wayne and Washington are finished, they'll move into Center Township.

"So far, so good," county Auditor Nancy Gause Milliken said.

Milliken reported no problems in the field, adding she had received no complaints from residents not knowing what was happening or regarding questionnaire cards. If no one is home when the appraisers are there, they leave a card for property owners to fill out and return to the field appraisal office. The information requested on the cards is the same information appraisers ask regarding the interior when someone is home.

People sometimes invite appraisers inside their home, but Milliken said they're not supposed to go inside.

If someone tells a homeowner they have to come inside, the homeowner should question that and call the auditor's office. Appraisers in the field carry identification which the homeowner can request to see.

If anyone has questions or concerns regarding an appraiser, they should call the auditor's office at 330-424-9515.

With 18 townships and more than 77,000 parcels to inspect, the appraisers will remain in the field for another year or two. Milliken said they'll go out and review their work once they've hit each property.

The new values will be established for the 2010 tax year and appear on tax bills in 2011.