Programming Error Leads to Inflated Property Valuations in Lucas County, Ohio

TOLEDO, Ohio — A programming error in Lucas County has resulted in hundreds of homeowners receiving inflated tentative property valuations. The issue, which was identified during a series of meetings with property owners, affected 346 parcels, according to Lucas County Auditor Katie Moline.

The error was discovered after the county’s auditor’s office issued tentative property values in September. Homeowners began appealing the valuations, and in-person meetings were held over the next three weeks to address questions and concerns. During this period, it became clear that some property values had increased disproportionately, prompting an investigation into the cause of the discrepancies.

While the auditor’s office confirmed that the issue stemmed from a programming error, officials were unable to correct the values before the final assessments were released. Moline explained that correcting the values before the final submission would have risked the rejection of all property values in the county by the State of Ohio, as the necessary oversight was required for approval.

“We were able to correct the error on a mass scale for those who informally appealed, with approval from the local Board of Revision,” Moline said in a statement. The board approved the correction of the 346 affected parcels earlier this week, and homeowners who filed informal appeals with values that aligned with fair market values will be notified by mail. The Auditor’s Real Estate Information System (AREIS) will also be updated as the corrections are processed.

For those who did not file appeals or whose appeals did not reflect fair market values, the auditor’s office is working to identify additional affected property owners. These individuals still have the opportunity to file formal appeals with the Board of Revision until March 31.

In response to the confusion surrounding the issue, the auditor’s office anticipates holding additional events in the coming weeks to help residents navigate the appeal process. Homeowners seeking assistance will be provided with guidance on how to file appeals effectively.

As the situation unfolds, the auditor’s office remains focused on ensuring that homeowners receive accurate property valuations moving forward.