The equalization process sets the property tax
base for the county and helps to ensure that property taxes are
levied in a fair and equitable manner.
Each year, under guidelines established by the State Tax
Commission, the Equalization Department works with township and
city assessors to assure proper equalized values for real and
personal property throughout the County.
The Equalization Department’s main purpose is to correct the
inequities that may occur between the local units of government
as a result of under or over assessment of a property class. The
Equalization Department does not determine individual
assessments; that is the sole responsibility of the local
assessor. The equalization process is accomplished using sales
and appraisal studies performed on individual property classes
in each township and city throughout the County.
The results of these sales and appraisal studies are used to
determine the true cash value of each property class
(residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural,
developmental, timber cutover, and personal property). The
Department’s equalization studies are compared to the
corresponding property class totals as determined by the
assessor for each township and city. If necessary, the
Department applies a “County Equalization Factor” to those
classes that have an “average level” of assessment above or
below 50% of true cash value.
The Department is also responsible for calculating all millage
roll back fractions required by law (Headlee, Truth in
Assessing, Truth in County Equalization, and Truth in Taxation)
for all taxing jurisdictions within Otsego County, i.e. schools,
Intermediate Schools, Otsego County, authorities, townships,
villages, cities, etc.
Public Information
The record generated and maintained by this Department is public
information and as such are utilized by the public including
realty personnel, independent fee appraisers, financial
institutions, abstract/title insurance companies, tax lien and
public land sale purchasers. The use and dissemination of such
information provides an indirect benefit to any individual who
wishes to buy, sell, or finance property in Otsego County.
Education
In the course of performing its statutory duties the Department
serves as a liaison between the State Tax Commission, County
Board of Commissioners, the local units and the public.
