County’s Sales Ratio Is Best Ever, Tops in State

The State Department of Audits and Accounts Sales Ratio Division (DAARD) issued its yearly report on July 8, 2009, for the calendar year 2008, on which the Jasper County Board of Tax Assessors received a near perfect score of 39.95, as reported to the Board at its regular meeting last Thursday, July 9, by Chief Appraiser Lynn Bentley.

The study from the DAARD is basically a yearly “report card” on the performance of each Assessors office in all 225 school districts in the state. The ratio measures the accuracy of property assessments in comparison to fair market sales. A perfect ratio is 40.00. A ratio under 38.00 will result in a lower tax rate for public utilities and reduced school funding from the state.

If assessments are not accurate, local property owners would have to make up for those lost revenues.
This is the third year in a row of a ratio over 38.00, which insures a steady tax rate from public utilities, after many years of not having an appropriate digest, scoring in the low 30s.

In other action Ms. Bentley distributed a new education schedule to the board members, advising them to register for required classes as soon as possible.

Also, BOA Chairman Jody Claborn announced his resignation before the meeting began, due to conflicting interests, which he did not elaborate on. Vice Chairman John Graham called the meeting to order and announced the BOA would vote on a new chairman at its next regular scheduled monthly meeting on August 13.

The BOA also approved the Error And Release Forms which correct the fair market value on property due to varying reasons.
After adjournment the board went into closed session, but took no further action.