January 15, 2022
After a record year of home sales, spikes in construction costs, a mix of low-interest rates and a seller’s market, Benton County homeowners can expect to see their assessed property values increase this year.
New assessment notices will hit property owners’ mailboxes at the beginning of April. These 2021 values will take effect for taxes payable in September 2022 and March of 2023. Assessed value is just one piece of data used to calculate a property owner’s tax bill. The values are based on sale prices, property improvements, and the overall state of the market. The State of Iowa requires assessors to maintain a median assessment level between 95-105%. In 2020 the median sales ratio for residential sales in the county was approximately 88%. Sales ratios are calculated by dividing the assessed value by the sale price of each sale throughout the year. The median sales ratio is calculated by arraying the sales ratios of normal sales for the year in order and finding the middle ratio. Being the median ratio was below the 95% level, many property owners in Benton County will see an increase in their property assessments this year to reflect the market fluctuations.
As a reminder, property taxes are not determined by a single individual who assesses your property and sends you a bill. It is a common misinterpretation that the assessor determines tax rates, calculates taxes, and/or collects taxes. The assessor focuses solely on property value.
Taxing bodies such as schools, cities, townships, etc., adopt budgets that determine the tax rate needed to meet their overall budgets. Your property taxes are in proportion to the value of your property compared to the total value of the taxing district where your property is located.
If you disagree with your property’s assessment, start by asking yourself a few questions:
Property owners are encouraged to do further research on their property’s value by visiting www.beacon.schneidercorp.com. This website offers a comparable sales search and sale price information. There are also sale lists and additional information available on the Benton County Assessor page.
Property owners who feel the value indicated is not fair market value should be prepared to state their estimate of market value and present evidence to support that estimate. Examples of evidence include comparable sales, remodeling costs, recent appraisals, or market analysis.
If you have further questions, please call the office at (319) 472-5211. Our office hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday thru Friday.
November 28, 2023
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Are you interested in improving natural resources such as water, air, habitat and wildlife for the direct benefit of Benton County? Please join us on Wednesday, October 25th from 1-3pm at Bloomsbury Farm (Party Barn #1) to share ideas for how Iowa’s premier funding program for outdoor recreation and conservation can assist your county and communities.April 25, 2023
The Benton County Conservation Board (BCCB) is excited to announce an opportunity to expand one of its existing properties.April 3, 2023
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October 13, 2021
2021 Election Law Changes per House File 413July 29, 2021
2021 Election Law Changes for Iowa VotersJuly 29, 2021
July 29, 2021
July 6, 2020
May 22, 2020
April 20, 2020
March 26, 2020
Here is a list of Federal/State Candidates for the Primary Election on June 2, 2020.March 26, 2020
Here is the complete list of who has filed for the upcoming Primary Election in Benton County.March 17, 2020
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October 25, 2019
Deadline for City/School ElectionOctober 8, 2019
Absentee Voting Ballots Ready for City/School ElectionSeptember 23, 2019
View the list of candidates who have filed papers to place their names on the November 5, 2019, City/School election ballot.August 29, 2019
Benton County voters will soon have a user-friendly website to find all of their election information.August 29, 2019
New Voter ID laws have taken effect for 2019. Make sure you know what you can expect when heading to the polls.August 26, 2019
Nomination Process for Combined City/School Election Begins August 26.August 21, 2019
PUBLIC NOTICE is given that a Special School Election of the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2019.