County appraisers meet with property owners about reappraisals

by Sue Serdinak

Appraisers from the Summit County Fiscal Office set up in Richfield Village Hall to meet with property owners who wanted to discuss their recent notification of reappraisals. When the meeting time arrived people lined up across the parking lot and all of the parking spaces were taken at the village hall, the social center and adjacent to the tennis courts.

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office set up a metal detector, and at times three deputies were on the property.

Residents needed to pass through a scanner before entering council chambers where they could ask questions about recent reappraisals of their property. Photo by S. Serdinak.

The process was well organized, and approximately 12 appraisers and other staff members of the fiscal office met with property owners quickly. It is unlikely that any of the people in line thought their new appraisals were too low.

Bryan Mackulin, who lives in the township, said the taxes on his three-and-a-half-acre property have increased 225% since 2019. The recent appraisal showed another increase of 37%.

He said he has worked hard to improve his property, and his reward is a huge tax increase. He said he fears that he won’t be able to continue to live on the property.

Bryan Mackulin said the appraisal of his property has increased 225% since 2019. He added that he has done most of the work to improve his property and the county now gets to benefit from it. Photo by S. Serdinak.

Photo caption: About a dozen appraisers met with property owners on Aug. 21 after residents challenged recent appraisals they received from the Summit County Fiscal Office. Photo by S. Serdinak.