Valencia County Residents Face Unexpected Property Tax Increase
Clerical Error Causes Major Tax Bill Discrepancies
Property owners in Valencia County, New Mexico, are experiencing significant anxiety as they discover a staggering 22% increase in their property tax bills. This unexpected surge is attributed to a clerical error originating from the county offices.
Ongoing Communication Between County Offices
Residents have reported uncertainty regarding their tax bills, prompting ongoing discussions between the assessor’s office and the treasurer’s office to rectify the issue. Despite these efforts, many residents are left in the dark about when a resolution will occur.
Mixed Reactions from Residents
Joni Love-Mullins, a local resident, shared her shock over the increase. “I didn’t initially think it was an error,” she said. “Considering the current inflation, it seemed somewhat plausible.” However, this unexpected bill has sparked frustration among homeowners.
Understanding the Increased Mill Rate
Valencia County leaders have confirmed that the mill rate rose from 6.82 to 11.85. Celia Dittmaier, the county assessor, explained the chaos arose due to a simple data entry mistake—an extra zero was added. Instead of reflecting a property value of $200 million, the error inflated it to $2 billion.
Residents Demand Timely Solutions
Many residents are advocating for immediate corrective measures. Love-Mullins emphasized, “Billing discrepancies should be accurately rectified before payment is required. The county should extend deadlines rather than issue refunds retroactively.”
Efforts Underway to Resolve the Situation
Dittmaier reassured residents that her office has been proactively addressing the situation this week. “We’ve been in contact with the property tax division and the department of finance to rectify the numbers and reissue the mill rate,” she stated.
Next Steps and Recommendations for Residents
Even with ongoing efforts, the revised bills require approval from commissioners, and the treasurer will determine the subsequent actions. In the meantime, Dittmaier urges residents to remain patient, noting, “Tax bills won’t be considered delinquent until December 10. We encourage homeowners to pay the first half of their tax bill by this deadline.”
Seeking Clarification From County Officials
KOB 4 attempted to reach the county treasurer for further clarification on the matter. However, no statements or insights were provided. Residents continue to seek answers and timely solutions to avoid unnecessary financial burdens.
