Politics & Government
Board of Appeals Tries To Counter Property-Tax Angst
Taxpayers holding up huge increases in their bills weren't in the greatest mood Monday as officials attempted to help them start their appeals processes.
The combination of anger, frustration, helplessness and puzzlement of today’s property-tax payer was summed up Monday night by north suburban homeowner Mark Weyermuller, addressing Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Mike Cabonargi.
“I’m shocked, I’m stuck. It’s very upsetting,” said Weyermuller. The Wilmette homeowner’s twice-yearly tax bill has jumped from $5,000 to $10,000, out of an annual increase from $10,000 to $16,000, he said.
Nearby, Paula Fung of Wilmette jotted down information on a sheet she would soon present to Cabonargi’s colleagues during a property tax seminar held by the Board of Review.
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“I have so many questions about my house,” said Fung. “It’s a split-level, but they (Cook County assessor) say it’s a two-story. They made a mistake in my square footage. I think because we were so busy working we didn’t look closely at the bill when it was just $3,000 a year. Now it’s $13,000.”
Weyermuller and Fung were among some 30 homeowners who came to the seminar at Wilmette’s Community Recreation Center, in hopes of getting their questions answered and approaching a solution to their financial dilemma.
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Cabonargi, whose territory in reviewing tax assessments stretches from Chicago’s South Side all the way to Lake Avenue in Wilmette, walked the audience through the often-baffling world of exemptions and property-tax policies. For more on the Cook County property tax system, check out the Patch animation video in the media uploader. And with the deadline for filing appeals on 2011 taxes in New Trier Township looming on Nov. 16, a half-dozen Board of Review employees were on hand to help the seminar attendees begin the appeals process.
Northfield Township Says Cash Reserves Are Skimpy
Already in a sour mood due to the Nov. 1 deadline for paying their 2010 tax bills, the audience couldn’t have been pleased due to a recent Better Government Association (BGA) report accusing some Cook County townships of hoarding property-tax revenues. The BGA claims that townships are an outdated political system, bloated with employees and overspending on social services that aren’t mandated by law. What may appear to be healthy reserves is simply a stockpile of taxpayer dollars taken unnecessarily, according to the BGA.
In response, at least one local township, Northfield, reported it has less than half the desired amount of cash reserves on hand.
“Last month our township was down to 1.6 months of reserves,” said Northfield Township Supervisor Jill Brickman. “We never want to be that down. Three to six months is prudent. The county is not reliable in paying bills and making collections. Our policies are above reproach. Our policy shows that we actively work to make sure we don’t sit on other people’s money. It’s just wrong to be taking money we don’t need.”
Why Taxes Are Up, But Valuation Is Down
The BGA report only adds to taxpayer angst over the fact that taxes have continued to increase while assessed valuation of homes has decreased in the depressed real-estate market.
Commissioner Cabonargi explained that local school districts typically get 58 percent of tax revenues, compared to Cook County’s cut of 9 percent. The fact that local taxing bodies don’t decrease their financial needs frequently, and in fact are under pressure to provide additional services in a down economy, is a partial explanation for why taxes don’t decrease along with valuation, he said. While some local taxing bodies have decreased their budget, overall taxes have not been reduced enough to keep up with falling home prices.
Cabonargi reminded the audience of the staple homeowner and the long-time occupants exemptions, along with ones for disabled homeowners, disabled veterans and returning veterans, the latter of which applies both in the year the veteran returns and the following year. The Board of Appeals, he added, can only help reduce assessments, not increase them.
Board Corrects Errors in Square Footage, Property Class
Among assessor errors the Board of Review can correct are miscalculations in square footage and the property class of the home. The board also can grant relief in the event of flood or fire damage. One property was re-financed, but the assessor thought it was a totally new property sale, so the correction was made. Foreclosures and short-sales of adjoining properties are now factored in the assessment process, Cabonargi said.
A common problem is seniors not being aware of a new state law requiring them to re-apply annually for the senior’s exemption, which can reduce the equalized assessed valuation of their residence. Many seniors ignored notices about the required application and thus did not get the exemption.
“People get a bill and it’s got acronyms and abbreviations and percentages and formulas on it,” Cabonargi said. “It can seem overwhelming. We just have to bring government out of City Hall and the County Building and just bring it out to people at night, near their home. Bring their paperwork and we’ll walk you through it.”
Appeal forms can be obtained at local township offices or online via the Cook County Board of Review’s website. Cabonargi and other officials at the meeting urged taxpayers to file appeal forms on deadline, then worry about gathering their documentation later.
Northfield Township’s appeal period has not been determined yet. Brickman said the timeframe will likely occur during December. She added that Township Assessor Patty Damisch’s office will help local taxpayers examine their bills and start the appeals process at the township offices, 3801 W. Lake Ave. in Glenview.
