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With the March 31 deadline to file a complaint with the Board of Revision approaching, your Franklin County Auditor’s office is reaching out to homeowners to let them know how they can challenge the appraised value of their home with the Board.
One of the ways the office is helping homeowners and making the Board process more accessible is through the Homeowner Assistance Program (HAP), which helps lower- and middle-income homeowners navigate the BOR filing process. This is the second year the Auditor’s office has partnered with the Legal Aid Society of Columbus to offer HAP, which is open to all Franklin County homeowners who make less than $75,000 in annual household income.
For the program, real estate and legal experts will hold zoom clinics and phone banks where they assist property owners with determining if they should file a complaint, guidance with what value they should request, and help filing a complaint. Volunteers can also guide homeowners with what kind of evidence they should use in a hearing.
If needed, HAP also offers referrals for qualifying homeowners for possible further representation at Board hearings.
Property owners who are interested in taking advantage of HAP can fill out an online registration form or call the office at 614-525-HOME. More information about the program can be found at the Board of Revision’s website.
The BOR is currently accepting complaints online and through mail through the March 31 deadline. Once a complaint is received and reviewed by the Auditor’s office, a hearing is scheduled either with the BOR or the Auditor’s Mediation program to assist in reaching an agreement regarding your valuation dispute. The BOR hearing may be conducted virtually, and mediation can be handled by phone.
I remain dedicated to ensuring all Franklin County homeowners have the opportunity to challenge the value of their homes if they disagree with the appraised value as determined by the Auditor’s office. Through programs like HAP, the office is providing outstanding public service and making the process more accessible and easier for homeowners in underserved neighborhoods who historically haven’t filed with the Board. I encourage anyone who believes their home value is incorrect to file a complaint with the BOR.
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Michael Stinziano
Franklin County Auditor |
Board of Revision Continues Holding Filing Events
The Franklin County Board of Revision (BOR) is holding numerous in-person and virtual educational events to help homeowners who believe their home values are incorrect file complaints with the BOR.
The late February and March in-person BOR Filing Events will be held at the following locations and times:
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
2:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Dublin Library
75 N. High St.
Saturday, March 5, 2022
10:30 am to 1:30 pm
Upper Arlington Main Library
2800 Tremont Rd.
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
10:30 am to 2:30 pm
Parsons Avenue Library
1113 Parsons Ave
Monday, March 14, 2022
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Franklinton Library
1061 W. Town St.
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
9:30 am to 1:00 pm
Whitehall Library
4445 E. Broad St
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Prairie Township Community Center
5955 W Broad St. Galloway
In addition, a virtual Board of Revision Filing Event will be held Tuesday, March 15, 6 pm via Facebook Live. For more information visit the BOR website.
 Deadline Approaching to Renew Dog License without Penalty
One month remains for dog owners to renew their dog’s license without penalty ahead of the March 31 deadline.
This marks the third year the deadline, which is normally January 31, has been extended in an effort to increase the rate of dog licensing. The extension will only apply to the 2022 renewal period, after which the office will examine how effective the lengthened renewal period has been in increasing licensing.
The Auditor’s office offers expanded locations where owners can purchase licenses, including via the Auditor’s Mobile Office, the Franklin County Dog Shelter, and at other community events.
In addition to being required by state law, dog licensing ensures that a dog has been vaccinated against rabies, which is required in Franklin County. It also ensures any lost dog is returned quickly to their owner. License fees help support the Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center.
One-year, three-year and permanent dog licenses can be purchased without penalty through March 31. Licenses can always be purchased online at doglicense.franklincountyohio.gov, or at the Auditor’s office license counter, 373 S. High St., 21st Floor in downtown Columbus. The counter is open Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 4 pm.
 Spotlight: Malika Bartlett, Director of Consumer Services
One of the staff members working hard to assist Franklin County dog owners with licensing is Director of Consumer Services Malika Bartlett.
Bartlett, who joined the office in January 2022, oversees not just dog licensing, but also vendor’s licenses, retail cigarette dealer’s licenses, junk yard licenses, and the weights and measures section.
“Right now, we are in the home stretch of dog licensing season, so I have been learning how the licensing system works and learning the nuts and bolts of dog licensing here in Franklin County,” Bartlett said. She’s also getting to know Weights and Measures, which regulates not just fuel pumps but scanners and scales from grocery stores to jewelry stores outside the city of Columbus, which has its own weights and measures section.
“It’s nice to learn what work goes behind those stickers you see on gas pumps and scales, which is just a small portion of what they do.”
Properties Damaged by Winter Storm Might Be Eligible for Value Reduction
Auditor Stinziano encouraged homeowners whose properties have suffered damage from the recent Winter Storm to file for a property value reduction with the Auditor’s office.
State law gives county auditors the authority to reduce real estate values for properties that have been damaged or destroyed. A reduction in property value could result in lower real estate taxes for the property until it has been restored to its prior condition or value
For more information and the form to apply, please visit the Auditor’s office website.
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The Butcher & Grocer Wins February True Transactions Award
The Butcher & Grocer in Grandview Heights won the February True Transactions Award for its excellent use of accurate scales and scanners in selling its locally-raised meats, poultry, cheese and other items.
“I am happy to recognize The Butcher and Grocer for their flawless record of using accurate scales in the sale of their high-quality meats, cheeses and other fresh products,” Stinziano said. “The staff of The Butcher & Grocer works with Weights and Measures inspectors to ensure accurate measurements and that their customers get what they pay for.”
The Butcher & Grocer sells Ohio-raised quality beef, lamb, pork, chicken and cheese products and select other market items. The meat products are 100% pastured and are antibiotic and hormone-free. The shop is located at 1089 W. First Avenue in Grandview Heights.
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Me and My Pal Calendars Now Available
New 2022 Me and My Pal calendars featuring the drawings of students with their canine best friends are now available from the Auditor’s office.
The Calendars are part of the Me and My Pal Drawing Contest, which was held in December and promotes responsible pet care through dog licensing.
To request a calendar, please email Administrative Assistant Shawna Florio at Shawna.Florio@franklincountyohio.gov.
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 Community Hours
Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano continues to hold weekly Community Hours meetings where residents can stop by and visit, or join virtually via Facebook @mstinziano, and share firsthand their feedback and ideas about the Auditor’s office or any concerns they have.
Community Hours will be held at the dates and locations listed below.
- March 1st at 10am (Virtual) featuring Port Side Café II and Hamilton Township
- March 9th at 10:30-11:30 (In Person) Hilliard Library – Study Room 1 – 4500 Hickory Chase Way, Hilliard, OH 43026
- March 15th at 1pm (Virtual) featuring Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery and Mifflin Township
- March 21st at 12:30pm (Virtual) featuring Winan’s Coffee and Washington Township
- March 31st at 10-11am (In Person) Transcend Coffee + Roastery – 3995 Broadway, Suite 100, Grove City, OH 43123
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