A number of Jefferson County landowners and residents will likely be staring at larger property tax bills in the near future.

The Jefferson County Property Valuation Administrator’s Office is reassessing around 120,000 residential and commercial properties in the county. The PVA will start mailing assessment notices on April 23 to the four large areas being reassessed this year, and property values are increasing 10% to 14% on average, depending on the area, Jefferson County PVA Colleen Younger said.

She said hotels, sit-down restaurants, some retail and special event venues won’t be reassessed this year.

Neighborhoods impacted by the reassessment include the areas in and around St. Matthews, Shelby Park, Smoketown, the Highlands, Crescent Hill, Butchertown, Germantown, Schnitzelburg, Clifton and Jeffersontown, among several others.

This large property reassessment was originally expected to occur last year, but the PVA’s office modified its calendar because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Areas are typically reassessed every four years, and the PVA’s office relies on sales analysis and activity and property data, including square footage and exterior condition, to reach its assessment.  It also compares properties similar to one another, so an unremodeled home won’t be compared to a recently remodeled home, for instance. The PVA does not enter properties to conduct its assessment.

Younger said last year that many of these neighborhoods have been subject to considerable investment in both new construction and renovation in recent years, and it could lead to an increase in some property tax bills.

Once the notices arrive, property owners will have until May 17 to appeal their assessment. They can appeal directly to PVA online or by teleconference. To schedule a teleconference, call 502-574-6224. The PVA’s office also has several community meetings scheduled this month, and you can find the full meeting schedule here.

“We are really trying to get the word out and reach the community,” Younger said.

Younger said property owners will need proof that the assessment is inaccurate so they will need to produce data to prove their case.  Appraisals and repair estimates from a general contractor can be submitted, and interior photos of the property are especially helpful for the appeal, according to the PVA’s office.

 “Photographs really tell the story,” she said.

The appeal process has multiple steps. If you’re not happy with the result after conferencing directly with the PVA, you can appeal before the Local Board of Assessment Appeals (LBAA). And if you are not in agreement with your result after appealing to the LBAA, you may request an appeal before the Kentucky Board of Tax Appeals. The fourth step would be an appeal to Jefferson Circuit Court, Younger said.