FAQs • Ford County, KS • CivicEngage

What should I expect during an informal meeting?: During the informal meeting, the Appraiser will show how the appraised value was determined for your property. During or before the meeting, review the record on your property to be sure all the information such as age, style and size is correct. The County Appraiser is interested in appraising property accurately, in a uniform and equal manner and should not be considered an adversary. For more information please call 620-227-4570.

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Guide to Appeal Process

1. What does my County Appraiser do?: By law, your County Appraiser figures the appropriate value of your property in a uniform and equal manner. The County Appraiser does not control the amount of your property taxes and the county does not receive more money by simply raising property values. The value of property in the county is used as a means of spreading the cost of providing local services. For more information please call 620-227-4570.

2. How does the county's appraisal affect my taxes?: If your property value goes up, it does not necessarily mean you will pay more taxes. Likewise, if your property value goes down or does no change, it does not automatically mean you will pay less or the same amount of taxes.

The money needed for local services is set and budget hearings are held in August. Increases or decreases in property values do not change the amount of tax dollars needed for local public services. These services include roads, parks, fire protection, police protection, public health and public schools among many others. For more information please call 620-227-4570.

3. When will I be notified of the value of my property?: The "notice of value" on your land and buildings should be mailed from the County Appraiser by March 1, and by May 1, for personal property. If your County Appraiser asks for an extension, it may be a later than the above date before you get your notice of value. For more information please call 620-227-4570.

4. What can I do if I believe the value of my home is too high?: 1. You may appeal the "notice of value" of your property by contacting the County Appraiser's office by phone or in writing within thirty days of the mailing date of the notice.
2. You may fill out a "payment under protest" form with the County Treasurer at the time you pay your taxes. If you paid all your taxes prior to December 20th then the protest can be made no later than December 20th (unless an escrow or tax service agent pays your property taxes in full, then no later than January 31st).

For more information please call 620-227-4570.

5. What steps do I take to appeal the "notice of value?": Find information regarding this process.

6. What steps do I take to file a payment under protest?: The steps to file a payment under protest are available online.

7. What should I expect during an informal meeting?: During the informal meeting, the Appraiser will show how the appraised value was determined for your property. During or before the meeting, review the record on your property to be sure all the information such as age, style and size is correct. The County Appraiser is interested in appraising property accurately, in a uniform and equal manner and should not be considered an adversary. For more information please call 620-227-4570.

8. What should I bring to an informal meeting or hearing?: Recent sales information about property similar in condition, quality, style, age and location to the property at issue. The appraiser's office request. Allow several days for processing and mail time. The sales contact for the property if it was purchased within the last 3 years. Photos and contract engineering estimates of the cost to repair any structural damage if the damage was not fully considered. A recent appraisal report of the property at issue prepared by a professional appraiser. Rent income and expense information if the property at issue is an income-producing investment, (example - apartment buildings).

This documentation is not appropriate for agricultural land and commercial personal property appraisals because, by law, such property is not appraised at market value. For more information please call 620-227-4570.

9. Can someone else attend hearing on my behalf?: Someone else may attend the informal meeting of HOP hearing. However, the owner must complete a "Declaration of Representation" form provided by the County Appraiser. Contact your County Appraiser for more information.

At a small claims hearing, the owner may appear personally or be represented by an attorney, certified appraiser, member of the owner's immediate family, or authorized employee by filing "Declaration of Representation" form with Board of Tax Appeals (BOTA). Generally BOTA requires that the actual property owner appear at its hearing, unless you are represented by an attorney. For more information please call 620-227-4570.

10. What Kansas Board of Tax Appeals (BOTA) hearing like?: BOTA members travel around the state. Both partied may present testimony and exhibits at the hearing. Generally, the property owner and the County Appraiser must exchange exhibits and a list of witnesses 20 days prior to the hearings, so each side knows what to expect. BOTA will provide more specific instructions and may be contacted at 785-296-2388.