Annual update on county explores website for reviewing property website
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account and connect your subscription to it by clicking here.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
HURON — A demonstration of a useful - and entertaining - tool that sees heavy use in the Beadle County Equalization office was a large part of the annual State of the County luncheon meeting Thursday.
The event, co-hosted by the Huron Kiwanis Club and the Huron Chamber and Visitors Bureau’s Governmental Affairs Committee, is an instrument for officials from Beadle County to update those in attendance about things taking place in the county.
Kiwanis vice-president Gayle Kludt welcomed those in attendance and turned the microphone over to Beadle County Commission chairman Doug Ramsell.
Ramsell highlighted some of the things taking place in the county and introduced the county commissioners and employees who were at the meeting.
He then introduced Kim Eichstadt, the Director of Equalization for Beadle County.
Eichstadt, who has been with the office for six years, and has served as the director for the past four, introduced people to the county’s GIS (Geographic Information System) map.
She demonstrated the search features of the map, which covers the entirety of the nearly 17,000 parcels in the county, with information regarding assessed value for land and buildings, current property tax and more for each county.
A link to the site is on the Equalization department’s portion of the Beadle County website.
“All of the information on the site is public information,” Eichstadt said, “This is the same information that is available to you if you come into our office.”
She stressed that her office is charged with assessing properties at the “full and true” market value, with many different factors going in to figuring what that amount is.
“State law says that assessments must be at full and true values,” she noted.
The county contracts with a company that completes a ‘fly-over’ of the county, for a birds-eye view of the county.
“Many of you may have received your assessments and wonder ‘why did my valuation go up so much?’” Eichstadt said.
Among the things that affect valuations are good sales that have taken place in the area over the past years, improvements that have taken place and more.
“Valuations for 2024 affect your 2025 property taxes,” she added. “Your 2024 property taxes are based on 2023 valuations.”
She noted that current overhead photos can be compared to those taken previously, which can reveal additions to existing buildings or completely new construction.
“It turns out that not everyone applies for a building permit,” she quipped.
Chamber president and CEO Laurie Shelton noted that members of the current Leadership Huron class were in attendance, and also shared some upcoming events, including the next special meeting, the State of the City luncheon on April 18.
