The Webster County Assessor’s Office has announced door-to-door inspections of all urban residential properties in Webster County will begin approximately June 1.

A reappraisal project was approved by the Conference Board in February 2016.

The purpose of the reappraisal program is to equalize property assessments so that each taxpayer is responsible for paying only his/her fair share of the property tax burden, the office said. Periodic inspections and reappraisal of properties is necessary as all types of properties do not increase or decrease in value at the same rate. Some properties physically deteriorate faster than others, and in many instances similar homes located in different areas of the county will differ greatly in value due to economic factors.

Data collectors with photo ID signed by the assessor will make interior and exterior inspections of all urban residential properties.

The preliminary data collection process began in June 2018. The project is scheduled for completion Dec. 31, 2019.

No one is required to let inspectors inside their house.

County officials have encouraged people to let inspectors inside because if they aren’t allowed, they will have to guess at what’s inside and could wind up assessing the property for more than it’s worth.

Notice of final value estimates will be mailed to each property owner after Jan. 1, 2020. The property owners will have an opportunity to meet informally to discuss their revaluation in the spring of 2020.

The new assessed values will be effective for Jan. 1, 2020, for taxes payable in fiscal year 2021-2022.

Representatives of Vanguard Appraisals Inc., in conjunction with the Webster County Assessor’s Office, will be conducting this project.

All law enforcement agencies as well as the Webster County Assessor’s Office will be apprised of the areas where data collectors are working. They will also have a listing of all names and license plate numbers of anyone involved in the project.

If any property owner has questions regarding the reappraisal project, they are urged to contact the Webster County Assessor’s Office at 515-576-4721 or email assessor@webstercountyia.org.