Pamela Pearsall, Yavapai County Assessor, advised residents that her office has sent a team of appraisers to assess the condition of all the properties damaged or destroyed in the recent Yarnell fire in west Yavapai County. The information they are gathering will be used to determine value adjustments for properties damaged or destroyed in these recent fires.
According to Pearsall, these value adjustments will affect the 2013 fiscal year property taxes (per statute ARS 42-15157). Pearsall expressed concern that while Yarnell fire has created unspeakable tragedies, the property value reductions will negatively impact the school district, fire districts and other taxing jurisdictions in the area.
The Assessor’s Office recognizes that an assessment of the loss in property values critical for all property owners.
“I am sure you understand that the abstract of value was finalized in 02/10/2013 and that budgets have now been set by the taxing jurisdictions based on that abstract. Because the corrections for the damage sustained in the Yarnell fire will be processed by the Assessor’s office for 2013 tax year (through the notice of error process) the values that are actually used against the 2013 tax rates will produce substantially less money for the budgets; especially for: Yarnell School District, Yarnell Fire District and Peeples Valley Fire District,” Pearson wrote in a notice to resident last week.
“Perhaps we could receive congressional solutions or new emergency legislation; maybe the governor could call a special session to resolve the crisis that the reduction in values will create for these districts and their 2013 fiscal year budgets. Any help with new legislation or a congressional solution would be greatly appreciated and of course I will do anything possible to aid in helping find a solution,” she concluded.
Taxing jurisdictions that may be impacted with a reduction in the valuations:
• Yavapai County
• State School Tax Equalization
• Yarnell SD #52
• Yarnell Fire District
• Peeples Valley Fire District
• Yavapai Community College
• Fire District Assistance Fund
• Yavapai County Library District
• Yavapai Flood Control District
• Yarnell Street Lighting Improvement District