2009 FINAL EQUALIZATION ORDER

CLASS OF PROPERTY                                                                           Percentage Adjustment to

                                                                                                                reported 2009 actual value

Agricultural Land and Structures excluding

Residential Dwellings on Agricultural Realty                                             *INCREASE 42%

Residential Realty including Residential

Dwellings on Agricultural Realty, Outside                                                 INCREASE 0%

Commercial Realty Excluding Machinery and

Equipment referred to in Chapter 427A                                                   INCREASE 10%

*The County Assessor requested to use an alternative method in complying with the equalization order for this type of property and the Department of Revenue and Finance approved the request.

The alternative method for Agricultural Land and Structures excluding Residential Dwellings on Agricultural Realty Outside and Within Incorporated Cities which is a 42% overall increase is as follows:

                Land                        45.7%                                      Buildings                  0%

THE COUNTY AUDITOR SHALL ADJUST THE VARIOUS CLASSES OF PROPERTY IN THE COUNTY ACCORDING TO THE ABOVE FORMULA AS DIRECTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF REVENUE AND FINANCE OF THE STATE OF IOWA FOR THE 2009 VALUATIONS.

ASSESSED VALUES ARE EQUALIZED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND FINANCE EVERY TWO YEARS.  LOCAL TAXING AUTHORITIES DETERMINE THE FINAL TAX LEVIES AND MAY REDUCE PROPERTY TAX RATES TO COMPENSATE FOR ANY INCREASE IN VALUATION DUE TO EQUALIZATION.

PROTESTS MUST BE FILED WITH THE BOARD OF REVIEW FROM OCTOBER 15, 2009 THROUGH NOVEMBER 4, 2009.  ALL PROTESTS MUST BE FILED ON FORMS IN THE BENTON COUNTY ASSESSOR’S OFFICE.

JILL MARLOW

BENTON COUNTY AUDITOR