PREBLE COUNTY — Preble County Auditor Lavon Wright recently announced her office was beginning the process of a state-mandated reappraisal of all properties in the county.

According to Wright, the reappraisal is a two-year process with new values being established for tax year 2023, for taxes to be paid in 2024.

The process began last month, according to a press release from the Wright’s office, and will run through the end of 2022.

According to the release, “there will be photographers obtaining photos for use in the reappraisal process. These photos are for in office use only. These individuals will be working on behalf of the Preble County Auditor’s office but are employed by Appraisal Research Corporation. They will be identified with badges, safety vests, and car signs.”

The release continued, “The photographers will be following recommendations from the CDC and Ohio Health Department while also practicing social distancing protocols. Questions should be directed to the Preble County Auditor’s office at 937-456-8148 between 8 a.m.-4 p.m.”

The county auditor’s office is required by the State of Ohio, in accordance with Ohio Revised Code 5713.01, to review all property in the county every six years, Preble County Auditor’s Chief Deputy of Real Estate Sean Maggard noted in a PC Auditor’s Facebook post.

“Preble County is entering this revaluation cycle, which will take a full two years to complete,” he continued. “We wanted to let you know that in the coming weeks and months, teams will be visiting each property in the county. We will be mailing letters out to each home a couple weeks before our team arrives at your property. The first round of teams will be photographing each structure on the parcel, and later in the process there may be additional teams doing physical inspections to verify parcel characteristics.

“In no circumstance will our team inspect the inside of a residence. We are trying to ensure the highest quality valuation process we can offer. Our teams will abide by social distancing standards and will attempt to alert you of their presence. We know it’s hard to believe that it has been 6 years since we last did this,” Maggard added.

According to officials, there will be a review process in which property owners will be able to review any changes or adjustments made to their properties, sometime in late 2023.

“At that time, you will have an opportunity to discuss your property value with the county’s appraisal team and ask questions you may have about the revaluation process,” Maggard added.

Anyone wishing to confirm the identity of a person visiting their property, can call the auditor’s office.