All taxable property in the city will be revalued this year.  Assessors will not be viewing the interiors of properties for this revaluation.  Assessed values will be based on property information in our database, and will reflect current market values. 

Even though the assessed value of a property may change, this does not always mean higher or lower taxes.  If the budgets of the state, county, school district, and city were to show no change for the 2011 budgets, many homes would see no change in taxes because of the new assessments. 

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Most frequently asked questions about the revaluation process:

• What is the purpose of a revaluation?

• How does this revaluation differ from assessments done in other years?

• The assessors have not looked at the inside of my home as they did during some previous revaluations.  Why is this revaluation being handled differently?

• How are the new assessments determined?

• When will I find out the results of the revaluation?

• When will the new assessments appear on my tax bill?

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What is the purpose of a revaluation?

The primary objective of a revaluation is to increase the uniformity or fairness of assessments. Revaluations are not done to increase individual taxes or the total amount of taxes collected by the city.  Periodic revaluations ensure that property owners do not pay more or less than their fair share of property taxes. 

How does this revaluation differ from assessments done in other years?

Wisconsin statutes require an annual assessment of all taxable real and personal property.  However, assessments are not typically changed for every property except during the year of a revaluation.  During interim years, all assessments are reviewed and changes are made to account for new construction, remodeling, or other factors that may affect the market value of properties.  Because the purpose of a revaluation is to increase uniformity, most property assessments will be changed to reflect current fair market values.

The assessors have not looked at the inside of my home as they did during some previous revaluations.  Why is this revaluation being handled differently?

We are using existing records to determine 2010 assessments.  This procedure will save considerable time and expense, and will minimize inconvenience for the property owner.  Residential property owners can verify the accuracy of their property data at
http://www.bis-net.net/cityofeauclaire/search.cfm

How are the new assessments determined?

Wisconsin statutes require property assessments to be based on fair market value.  Even though we are not viewing the interior of every property, the new assessments are determined only after an individual review of each property record.  We are not applying percentage increases to certain types of properties or neighborhoods.  Each assessment is based on an analysis of a number of factors that affect market value including the age and condition of the property, location, and the presence or lack of additional amenities.

When will I find out the results of the revaluation?

Assessment notices will be mailed to property owners on October 1, 2010.  Adequate time will be set aside for informal hearings where the property owners can discuss their assessments with the assessors.  Immediately following these informal discussions, the Board of Review will convene to listen to property owners who wish to appeal their assessment.  The first meeting of the Board of Review will be October 20, 2010.  The Board of Review meets in the Council Chambers, City Hall.

When will the new assessments appear on my tax bill?

Tax bills mailed in December 2010 will be based on the new assessed values.  The taxes will be payable by January 31, 2011, or if paid in two installments, by January 31, 2011, and July 31, 2011.