‘Hit so heavily’: Cuyahoga County residents shocked by proposed property reappraisals

CLEVELAND (WJW) — Cuyahoga County residents are reacting to letters they’ve received noting reappraisal values for their properties. Some have seen their property values increase by 60-90% or more.

That means they could be paying hundreds, potentially thousands more in property tax.

“I think lots of people are getting this letter,” Homeowner David Norris said. “It increased my property value from $137,000 to $229,000.”

Norris said that equates to roughly an $1,100 tax increase.

Cuyahoga County said across the board residents will see a 32% increase on average. Multi-homeowner Laura Marconi said certain neighborhoods are seeing a drastic increase.

“Many communities had nowhere near this increase,” Marconi said. “That’s what I’m not understanding. Like, why are we getting hit so heavily and are we absorbing some of the increase for other communities county-wide?”

To learn more about the appraisal process, find a community meeting explaining it or to find a calculator to estimate your taxes, click here.

Residents who feel these appraisals are coming in too high can file a complaint until Aug. 30, but have to meet specific criteria.

• An appraisal report completed within the last 36 months (photocopy)
• A purchase agreement and closing statement (photocopy)
• Construction costs of a new dwelling, certified by the builder
• Certified estimates from a contractor for repairs cited as a reason for the change in value
• Photographs of property showing structural damage and estimates for repair

Those who spoke to Fox 8 worry that might be a lost cause.

“I know in the past it’s pretty much worthless trying to do anything,” Multi-homeowner and landlord Mike Hetzel said. “Based on what the houses are going for.”

Hetzel rents two properties in Cuyahoga County for below market rate. He said he doesn’t want to raise rates for his tenants, but he may have no choice due to the tax increase.

Homeowners worry some people may have to sell their properties due to the increase.

“There may be a mass exodus of residents from the city who can’t afford to pay this increase, that might go somewhere else where there is not as hefty of an increase,” Marconi said.

“They’re just capitalizing on the fact that property values are really high right now, and they want to grab the money now while it’s still that way,” Norris said.

The Cuyahoga County treasurer said at a press conference Tuesday that an increase in valuation does not equate to a dollar for dollar increase in taxation. House Bill 920 also limits how much property taxes can be increased based on inflation.

But inflation is another reason why residents are worried about this potential tax increase, especially for seniors or those on fixed incomes.

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