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Appeals / Value Adjustment Board
In compliance with
Florida Statutes, Truth in Millage (TRIM) notices are typically mailed in
August of each year. TRIM notices provide the proposed fair market value
(or just value), Amendment 10 value (or assessed value) and taxable value of
your property. The TRIMs also reflect the proposed millage rates set by
the various Taxing Authorities. The meeting dates for the budget hearings
for the taxing authorities are also included in the TRIM notice. The
Property Appraiser's office has no jurisdiction or control over taxes or
millage rates established by the Taxing Authorities.
When you receive your
TRIM notice, you should examine all the relevant facts such as market value and
your exemption status. If you feel that we have made a mistake, please
contact our office immediately as your time to file a petition to the Value
Adjustment Board (VAB) is limited by law to 25 days after the mailing of the
TRIM notice. The deadline appears on the notice.
If you find
information on your TRIM notice that you believe to be incorrect, please follow
these steps:
1) Gather all Pertinent Information
If you filed for homestead or another
exemption or agricultural classification and it does not appear on the TRIM,
find your receipt. If you feel the MARKET value listed on the TRIM
exceeds the price for which you could sell your property (as of January 1 of
the current year), assemble sales information of comparable properties,
detailed explanations of unusual/excessive repairs necessary or other
conditions you deem as worthy of consideration. Sales information is available
via the Property Appraiser's website (www.okeechobeepa.com) or via direct
contact with our office.
2) Contact the Property Appraiser's Office
Provide
all the information you would like considered. This office is committed
to fairly and equitably assessing all properties in Okeechobee County. If
a mistake has been made, we will correct it. If, however, after
meeting with an appraiser and examining all the relevant data, you still feel
that your market value is incorrect or you have an exemption or agricultural
classification issue that cannot be resolved, you have the right to file a
petition to be heard before the Property Value Adjustment Board.
3) File petition with Value Adjustment Board
If you choose to
petition the Board you must file your petition with the Clerk of the Court's
office on or before the 25th day following the mailing of notice of proposed
taxes. You can contact the
Clerk's office at (863) 763-4559 for fee information and any instructions you
may need regarding your petition. You may pick up a petition in
the Property Appraiser's office during the appeal period or download one from
our website.
More information
Individual Property Record Cards for each parcel are available on the Parcel Details page of our Record Search feature.
Per F.S.194, during
the hearing, both you and the Property Appraiser's staff will present relevant
evidence to the VAB. Based on all evidence presented, the VAB will render a
decision on the petition to grant or deny it. If your appeal is granted,
no further action is required from you. If your petition is denied, you
have the option of accepting the decision or filing a civil law suit in the
Circuit Court under the provisions set forth in F.S.194.171. Deadlines
for filing suit should be obtained from your attorney or the Clerk's office.
Please remember that
the Property Appraiser's office works for the taxpayers of Okeechobee
County. We do our best to treat everyone fairly based upon the laws of
our state. If you have a concern, your first step should be to contact
your Property Appraiser's office.
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