Hocking Conservancy District seeks public input

Hocking Conservancy District and its Board of Appraisers seek public input on its assessments in regards to the Athens Local Protection Project (ALPP).

The project was completed in 1971 and involved shortening. and realigning the Hocking River, and providing stable riverbanks, pump stations, and other appurtenances which are operated and maintained by HCD. As part of this process, HCD and its Board of Appraisers compared “Without-Project” and “With-Project” damages after completion of the ALPP as part of its process for appraising the benefit to each parcel of real estate meeting the criteria for assessment. This benefit was based on 1966 property values, which have significantly increased since the late 1960s.

The readjustment of its appraisal of benefits is pursuant to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 6101.54 for levying its conservancy maintenance assessment under ORC 6101.53.

Since 1967, HCD’s maintenance assessment has been based on the appraised benefits to parcels of real estate calculated in 1967 using 1966 property values.

Stantec Consulting Services Inc. (Stantec) provided the engineering consulting services to HCD and the HCD Board of Appraisers to support HCD’s current application for readjustment and development of an Appraisal Record.

Stantec concluded that the ALPP provides approximately $13,287,000 of net present value annual benefits for the City of Athens. Direct Assessments were then calculated based on depth of flooding (3 zones) and property value, and assigned an indirect assessment value.

Indirect assessments are placed on all parcels within the city limits of Athens and within the boundaries of HCD. The indirect assessment is $50.81 annually, which will be the assessment for most parcels in the City of Athens.

For Direct Assessments a flooding factor was established for parcels that receive direct benefits lying within one of the 3 depth of flooding zones. These 3 zones are 0 to 5 feet, 5 to 10 feet, and greater than 10 feet. An example of how the assessment would be calculated on a $200,000 piece of real estate in the 0 to 5 feet flood depth zone:

Example Total assessment = Indirect Assessment + Direct AssessmentExample Total assessment = $50.81 + ($200,000 0.00007076)Example Total assessment = $50.81 + $14.13Example Total Assessment = $$64.94

HCD operates on $320,000 in assessments received annually with the district budget approaching $700,000 annually. The carryover funds will be exhausted soon, necessitating the need for a Reappraisal of Benefits (ROB).

Each individual parcel’s assessment will be available on the HCD website once complete (August). Property owners will need their parcel ID number to check their assessment or may call the District at 740-592-1792, between 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Landowners wanting to contest the Conservancy Appraisal Record in general, or the assessment on their parcel(s) must file written objections in the Athens County Common Pleas Court no later than Aug. 12 and then must appear at the hearing on any exceptions to the CAR which is scheduled 11 a.m. Aug. 29 on the third floor of the Athens County Common Pleas Court.