Spring has finally arrived in central Ohio, and along with daffodils and warm sunshine, often it also brings severe weather. March 21-27 was Ohio’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, when we hold tornado drills and get ready for a potentially stormy season. At your Franklin County Auditor’s office, we are prepared and dedicated to helping homeowners should storms damage or destroy your home.
By state law county auditors have the authority to temporarily lower property values – and potentially property taxes – should your home be damaged by storm, fire or other means. The lower value is in effect until the home has been restored to its prior condition. If the unthinkable happens and a storm damages your home, all you need to do is file a Damaged or Destroyed Property Form available on our website to start the process.
The Auditor’s office is trying to be more proactive than ever in assisting homeowners with storm damage. Should storms descend on our area, our mobile office will be out in the community helping homeowners with the filing process. Staff will also identify affected areas and mail out application forms to homeowners in those neighborhoods.
New this year, the Auditor’s office is partnering with the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency to get training for staff on how to properly evaluate storm damage. The training will expand the number of staff we can send into the field in the aftermath of a storm to help homeowners file an application with the Auditor’s office, and staff can also direct homeowners to other financial resources to help them recover.
We are also implementing a new system that will for the first time let homeowners know via postcard that we are processing their claims. It’s a simple step that will keep residents apprised of the status of their application and let them know they haven’t been forgotten.
Our goal through all of these initiatives is to provide outstanding customer service and a helping hand to homeowners who through no fault of their own have seen their homes damaged or destroyed by mother nature.
Storms are a fact of life in central Ohio, but the Auditor’s office will be there to help homeowners with the resources they need to build back stronger than before.
As always, if you have suggestions, I encourage you to contact me at (614) 525-5700, or at AuditorStinziano@franklincountyohio.gov.
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Deadline for Homeowners to File with Board of Revision is Rapidly Approaching
Following the completion of the Triennial Update, the deadline for homeowners to file a complaint with the Board of Revision regarding their property value is March 31.
Filing a complaint gives homeowners the opportunity to present evidence to the board about a home’s value at a hearing or mediation, after which the board can adjust the value if warranted.
New this year, the Board has added an option to e-file complaints via its website. The web-based option offers convenience for homeowners and makes the process more efficient for board staff. Homeowners can still file via mail, email or fax if they prefer.
Additionally, in an effort to help lower-and middle-income homeowners, the office has launched the Homeowner Assistance Program, which is designed to help qualifying homeowners file a complaint with the BOR. The free program consists of filing clinics staffed by real estate professionals who can also refer homeowners for possible further representation at their board hearing.
Reminder: Dog License Renewal Season is Underway
The Auditor’s office has extended the deadline to renew dog licenses through July 1, allowing dog owners more time to purchase or renew a license without penalty. Licenses can be purchased through an updated dog licensing website which features expanded online services, including the ability to update addresses and a dog’s status.
The Auditor’s office has also expanded the locations where owners can purchase or renew a license, including at socially-distanced mobile events across Franklin County via our mobile office.
In addition to being required by state law, dog licensing ensures that any lost dog is returned quickly to their owners. Most funds generated from dog licensing support the Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center.
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Nom Nom Nom wins March True Transaction Award
Nom Nom Nom, central Ohio’s only all-natural dog bakery, has won the March True Transaction Award for its outstanding record of using accurate scales and scanners in the sales of its high-quality canine snacks.
“I congratulate the Nom Nom Nom team for their outstanding record of using accurate scales and scanners in selling their gourmet dog bakery goods. Nom Nom Nom staff work closely with our weights and measures inspectors to ensure the scales and scanners are accurate for their customers, a sign of a great business,” Stinziano said.
Nom Nom Nom is located at 3 W. Waterloo St. in Canal Winchester and offers high-quality, natural dog birthday cakes, pup cakes, cookies, treats and gourmet bakery goods.
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Community Hours
Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano continues to hold weekly ~virtual~ Community Hours meetings where residents share firsthand their feedback and ideas about the auditor’s office or any concerns they have.
The meetings continue a practice Stinziano has done since he was first elected to office. Community Hours will be held at the dates and times below via facebook live @mstinziano.
Thursday, April - 10:30am
With special guest, Franklin County Prosecutor Gary Tyack.
Thursday, April 8 -1:00pm
With special guest, Dr. Greg Lam.
Wednesday, April 14 -6:00pm
Highlighting Crafted Culture in Gahanna.
Tuesday, April 20 -10:00am
With special guest Kristen Easterday, CEO, Rickenbacker Airport.
Monday, April 26 -5:30pm
Highlighting Mutts & Co. in Dublin.
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