The overall value of West Fargo properties grew by 4.5 percent since 2009, up nearly $3.2 million in value in the past year.
Of the $74 million in taxable property value for 2010, residential properties made up about $55 million, and commercial properties valued about $20 million, city documents show.
West Fargo residents can appeal changes to their individual property tax values during the annual Board of Equalization meeting at 5:30 p.m. today in City Hall.
Overall, existing properties didn't see much increase in their tax value from 2009, West Fargo Assessor Wanda Wilcox said Monday.
Most of the growth was influenced by new construction and by expiring tax exemptions on existing properties, Wilcox said.
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The remaining growth came from reassessing several hundred commercial and residential properties, she said.
About 850 properties received notices that their values would increase by 10 percent or more, but that amount is affected by new construction throughout the city, Wilcox said.
"That could simply be a property going from a vacant lot to a completed home," she said.
Commercial properties typically are reassessed every four yeas. But it can be up to 15 years between complete assessments for homes, due to the high number of residential properties in West Fargo, Wilcox said.
The city evaluates property value growth each year and then reassesses certain sections of the city as needed or scheduled, she said.
Wilcox said she's heard that several people plan to contest their property tax changes at today's meeting.
Last year, formal appeals were unsuccessful for those who wanted their property value reassessed, she said.
But, Wilcox added, residents can raise concerns about their property value at any time by contacting the city assessor's office, and changes have been made in some cases.
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"If you come in and say that you think your values are unreasonable, we'll review it with you," Wilcox said.
If you go
- What: West Fargo Board of Equalization meeting
- When: 5:30 p.m. today
- Where: West Fargo City Hall, 800 4th Ave. E.
- Info: For information on West Fargo properties and values, call the West Fargo Assessor’s Office at (701) 433-5342 or visit www.westfargond.gov (click on “City Departments,” then “City Assessor”).
Readers can reach Forum reporter Kristen Daum at (701) 241-5541
