Departments | County Assessor | News | Assessed values up 8-10% - April 21, 2007
But assessors say average percentages can be misleading
Article written by John Skipper and used with permission from the Globe Gazette, published on Saturday, April 21, 2007.
MASON CITY - Property assessments in Mason City and Cerro Gordo County are up an average of 8 to 10 percent this year - but assessors say the figures can be misleading.
Cerro Gordo County Assessor John Boedeker said assessments can vary drastically because of the age and condition of properties - so putting an "average" or "median" figure on them doesn't tell the full story.
Some are up, some are down, said Boedeker.
"For instance, we assess property in Dougherty where there hasn't been a new home built since 1963 and we assess new properties in Clear Lake and other places," he said.
Bob Zinnel, city assessor in Mason City, said under Iowa law, every odd numbered year is an "equalization year."
"In equalization years, the sale prices of homes are compared to the assessed values. Our residential sales for 2006 indicated that the residential values, when compared to the sale prices, were about 9 percent low.
"The assessor must raise the assessed values to cover the difference or the Department of Revenue will issue an equalization order to the county auditor to raise the values," he said.
Assessed values in Mason City rose 8 percent in 2003 and 10 percent in 2005, said Zinnel.
"Residential property does not depreciate or appreciate at the same percentage," said Zinnel. "Looking at each individual property periodically will more accurately reflect the changes."
Boedeker said people from his office try to annually look at the exterior of every home in the county for assessment purposes.
He said the process often leads to misunderstandings.
"For example, on the assessment notices we sent out 'land' and 'improvements' are split out. 'Improvements' refers to anything that isn't land. It can be buildings, it can be a parking lot, it can be a fence," he said.
Property owners outside of Mason City can call Boedeker's office at 421-3065. Mason City property owners wil questions or concerns should call Zinnel at 421-3061.
Both the county and city assessors' offices are on the third floor of the Cerro Gordo County Courthouse.
