Reappraisal of properties underway
Berning
SIDNEY Shelby County Auditor Amy L. Berning has begun the process of a state mandated reappraisal of all properties.
There will be appraisers visiting properties throughout the county through the end of 2021. These individuals will be working on behalf of the Shelby County Auditor’s Office, but are employed by the Auditor’s appraisal company, Appraisal Research Corporation. They will be identified with badges, safety vests, and car signs.
Prior to the appraisers’ visit, a letter from the auditor’s office will be sent to each residential and agricultural property owner. The letter will request verification of property information and serve as a notice that appraisers will soon be in the area.
Auditor oversees CARES Act funds
Berning
SIDNEY “I’ll start with a brief report on 2020 funds. Due to the CARES Act funds that were allocated to Shelby County via HB 481 and HB 614, local governments were offered the opportunity to accept a portion of those funds to be used for COVID-19 related expenses,” said Shelby County Auditor Amy Berning. “The state of Ohio dictated the formula that determined how much money was to be allotted to each political subdivision (county, city, township, village).
“The grand total received from the state was $6,159,639, of which the county was allocated $3,279,398. The balance of $2,880,241 was split between the city of Sidney and any village or township who had eligible COVID-19 expenses. Again, let me point out that these funds could only be used on COVID-19 expenses.”
Auditor: Real estate values increased
Berning
SIDNEY Shelby County Auditor Amy Berning has announced that real estate values have increased in Shelby County and across most of the State.
As mandated by Ohio Revised Code, the values are to be adjusted on real estate every three years to keep up with the market. Sales of real estate were studied, by neighborhood, to determine if properties are selling for similar values to those in the county’s database. If sales are trending higher or lower than the values in the system, the neighborhood must be adjusted accordingly.
“I believe the extremely low mortgage rates have encouraged buyers to agree to pay higher prices, driving up the market,” said Berning. “We received a letter from the state of Ohio indicating that they found the average increase in value to be 20% in our county. Our analysis did not agree, so we submitted at 15.25%. The state rejected our report and informed us that they were looking for at least 17%. We re
Real estate tax statements in the mail
SIDNEY Shelby County Treasurer, John E. Coffield has announced that first half real estate tax bills wete mailed out this week. The due date for payment of these bills will be Feb. 14, 2021.
“Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic,” Coffield said, “the Shelby County Treasurer’s Office is still closed to the general public. My number one priority is the health, safety and well being of my employees and the public at large. Due to the confined spaces in the elevators, stairwell and hallway it is virtually impossible to practice social distancing. There is no reason to unnecessarily risk people’s health.”
Schaffner elected Sidney BOE president
SIDNEY Jason Schaffner was elected president of the Sidney City Schools Board of Education during its organizational meeting Tuesday night.
Schaffner was nominated by Michele Lott and Bob Smith nominated Mandi Croft for president. After a roll call,Schaffner received three votes to be president and Croft received one vote. Linda Meininger was not present to vote on the nominations. She later joined the meeting via You Tube
The board then voted for Schaffner to be president. The motion passed 4-0.
Schaffner takes over as president from Smith, who has served in that position for several years.