Significant increases in the assessed value of residential and commercial properties across Saline County have landowners asking questions about the potential impact of the move and how to deal with any higher tax bills.

Assessor Jessica Adcock Goodman says the value increases are at the direction of the State Tax Commission, who could legally bypass her office and trigger the increases through the Board of Equalization if her office didn’t update property values.

The State Tax Commission informed Goodman’s office last month that Saline County’s assessed values for residential properties were 15 percent below current market trends, while commercial properties were 23 percent below. Goodman adds that property owners who believe their property has been valued incorrectly can contact her office to explore options to appeal the value.

The Saline County Assessor’s office can be reached by calling 660-886-4380 during regular business hours. Goodman notes that while assessed values are increasing, a taxpayer’s bill may not increase by the same amount, as each taxing entity must recalculate their rate with respect to the state’s Hancock Amendment limiting how much their revenue increases each year.