According to City Clerk Michele Smith, property reassessment notices were due to be sent out by the city’s assessor, Accurate Assessor, during the week of March 6. It is indicated that the average residential increase is 10.5% and the average commercial increase is 8-10%. The assessments are based on property sales during 2022. Last year residential assessments generally increased by 7-11%, with commercial and large residential properties increasing by an average of 15%.

The fact that a property assessment is increased does not indicate that the property taxes will increase by a similar percentage. If a property’s assessment increases at a rate equal to the citywide average, then the total property tax bill should change at the same rate of change for the tax rates of all taxing entities (city, county, school district, technical school district).

Property owners with questions or concerns about their assessment are encouraged to attend Open Book with the assessor in person at the Cravath Lakefront Room, second floor in the Municipal Building, on March 20 between 2-4 p.m. Appointments may be made online.  Occasionally this conversation may result in a change being made in the assessment. Ultimately, however, if a property owner objects to the assessment they must file a “Form of Objection” with the Whitewater City Clerk’s office at least 48 hours before a city established “Board of Review” meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 25 at 6:30-8:30 p.m.