The Callaway County Board of Equalization this week wrapped up its hearings of people appealing county tax assessments on their property.
Western District Commissioner Doc Kritzer said 15 people appeared before the board to appeal their tax assessments.
"The procedure," Kritzer said, "usually involves more of an explanation of the assessment process. A few assessments were lowered. We want to be fair and consistent for everyone and look at each case individually. When assessment changes were made by the board, it usually involved an inadvertent error in the assessment process. That often is an error on the building size or depreciation of the property."
Reassessment occurs every other year, and the rates stay in place for at least two years.
The board rarely makes an instant decision after hearing an appeal, it discusses the case later, and the county clerk informs the individual appealing the assessment of the board's decision.
One of the appeals heard came from Ameren Missouri based on a new law that changed the way utilities depreciate their property.
"We made no changes in Ameren Missouri's assessment," Kritzer said. "Ameren Missouri has power lines and other property throughout the state. The law requires utilities to appeal assessments to counties first and then to the State Tax Commission. For big utilities, the final step in assessment appeals is through the State Tax Commission."
In addition to Kritzer, other members of the Callaway County Board of Equalization are Presiding Commissioner Gary Jungermann, Eastern District Commissioner Randy Kleindienst, Fulton Planning and Protective Services Director Les Hudson and Fulton Realtor Joan Berry Morris.