The Wood County Commission received the county property books from the Wood County Assessor’s Office on Monday as the commission officially began the period for the Board of Equalization and Review. People can come in and have the commission review their property values. People are asked to contact the Assessor’s Office first with any concerns to see if they can be addressed there first. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG — The annual session of the Wood County Commission meeting as the Board of Equalization and Review got underway Monday.

Wood County Assessor John Kelly and Deputy Assessor Connie McAtee delivered the county property (land assessment) books to the commission for the start of the annual session of the Board which officially got underway Monday at 10 a.m. with no one appearing.

“We presented the land analysis books to the commission (Monday morning),” Kelly said. “People coming in have to make an appointment through the County Administrator’s office.”

Taxpayers can come before the board beginning 10 a.m. until noon on Feb. 5, 9, 12 and 19. If afternoon appointments are needed, the board will convene from 1-3 p.m.

Hearings will be available Monday, Feb. 9, from 5-7 p.m. by appointment only which can be made through the Wood County Administrator’s Office.

“That is if people can’t make it during the day,” Kelly said.

The commission will examine and review the property books in regard to each hearing, making adjustments if deemed necessary.

Commissioners suggest any issue with property valuations be taken up with the Wood County Assessor’s Office first to see if the issues can be resolved. It is not a requirement and people can appear before the commission to discuss it if they feel they need to.

“We encourage people to go to the Assessor’s Office first to address any concerns,” Wood County Commission President Blair Couch said.

There were 3,500 10% letters sent out last year and around 1,600 sent out this year. If people’s taxes are going to increase by 10% or $1,000 they get a letter sent.

The assessor’s office has fielded around 25-30 phone calls to the office regarding those letters which Kelly attributed mostly to new construction.

“So far, no one has made any arrangement or request to come before the commission for a hearing,” Kelly said. “It doesn’t mean they won’t.

“It just means that no one has requested a hearing.”

Kelly said 85-90% of the letters sent out involved properties that had a new construction situation where someone had some remodeling work done, had a garage built, added a swimming pool or did something else.

“Otherwise, most people saw an increase of around 3%,” he said.

Officials said that many concerns can be handled through the Assessor’s Office before having to come before the commission sitting as the Board of Equalization and Review.

Kelly said people can bring in documentation to prove their case, including an appraisal from a certified appraiser.

“We will take a hard look at that and see where that goes,” Kelly said, adding people can also present receipts for any work done. Those things can include changes made to individual properties, removing an outbuilding or putting in a garage that the owners feel may have changed the value of the property.

“Bring in whatever you think you need to show that where our value is incorrect and yours is correct,” he said. “Bring it in and we will definitely take a hard look at that.”

As of Monday morning, no one has requested a hearing.

The commission always advises people to bring clear and convincing evidence, such as pictures, insurance statements and a current appraisal, Couch said.

The Board of Equalization and Review will conclude on Feb. 19 at 3 p.m.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com