photo by: Douglas County

Douglas County will be sending out its change of valuation notices to property owners later this week.

When Douglas County homeowners receive notice next month of how much their property values have changed, most of them can expect to see an increase of between 2% and 8% from 2024, according to the Douglas County Appraiser’s Office.

A news release from Douglas County on Wednesday afternoon said that the appraiser’s office would be mailing the annual change of value notices to property owners on Friday.

The release said that because of such things as year-over-year price increases and supply and demand imbalances, most properties are going to see an increase. It estimated that the increase would be between 2% and 8% for most residential properties and 5% to 10% for most commercial properties.

Last year, as the Journal-World reported, home values across the county increased by a median of 7.3%, and a couple of years ago, in 2022, it was common for such increases to be 10% or more.

The rising home values make it more likely that residents’ property tax bills will increase in 2026. Any homeowner who has a rising property value also will have a rising property tax bill, unless governments choose to cut their property tax mill levy rates by a corresponding amount.

Property owners do have an opportunity to protest changes in their property values, however. The change of value notice includes a form that people can fill out to request a hearing, at which they can present information about why they think the appraiser has valued their property incorrectly. Those who wish to appeal must return the form to the appraiser’s office, located in the basement of the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St., or email appeals@dgcoks.gov by 5 p.m. Monday, March 31.

The appraiser’s office will also hold two information sessions for people who have questions about the property valuation process. One of them, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. March 24, will be a formal presentation with an opportunity to ask questions; the other, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 31, will be walk-in sessions where residents can speak with appraiser’s office staff. Both sessions will be at the County Courthouse, in the commission meeting room on the second floor.