Table of Contents
The Ross County Auditor’s Office plays multiple roles in the Ross County, Ohio government. The Ross County Auditor is the tax assessor for Ross County, Ohio. The Ross County Auditor is responsible for assessing the value of real property located within Ross County, Ohio, for the purposes of taxing that property. The Ross County Auditor does not set tax rates, but simply assesses property values. The Ross County Auditor also handles a number of tax-related duties, such as handling dog licenses, weights and measures, and vendors’ licenses. The current Ross County Auditor is Thomas Spetnagel, Jr.
Ross County is a medium county located in Ohio. At the 2010 Census, the population of Ross County was 78,064. The County seat of Ross County is Chillicothe. Ross County is part of the Chillicothe Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Columbus-Marion-Zanesville Ohio Combined Statistical Area. Ross County contains the cities, villages, communities, or towns of: Chillicothe, Adelphi, Bainbridge, Clarksburg, Frankfort, Kingston, South Salem, Buckskin, Colerain, Concord, Deerfield, Franklin, Green, Harrison, Huntington, Jefferson, Liberty, Paint, Paxton, Scioto, Springfield, Twin, Union, Andersonville, Bourneville, Richmond Dale, Alma, Anderson, Austin, Bainbridge, Bourneville, Brownsville, Deadman Crossing, Denver, Frenchtown, Fruitdale, Greenland, Hallsville, Harper, Higby, Hopetown, Humboldt, Kinnikinnick, Lattaville, Lickskillet, Londonderry, Lyndon, Massieville, Metzger, Mooresville, Musselman, Nipgen, North Fork Village, Pinhook, Pleasant Grove, Pleasant Valley, Pride, Roxabell, Schooley, Slate Mills, Spargursville, Storms, Summithill, Tucson, Vigo, Yellowbud, and the ghost town of Knockemstiff. If you have questions about whether your property is located in Ross County and do not see the name of your city, town, or township on this list, you can contact the Auditor for more information.
In Ohio, the County Auditor performs several tax and revenue related functions. The goal of the Ross County Auditor’s Office is to provide accurate, fair, and equitable tax assessments for all taxpayers in the county. The Ross County Auditor complies with all applicable state statutes and regulations.
The Ross County Auditor’s responsibilities include: discovering, listing, and valuing real property for tax purposes. Real property includes land and improvements to land. Improvements refers to houses, outbuildings, office buildings, warehouse, and other permanent structures on land. Improvements also includes other permanent, affixed improvements, such as fences or swimming pools.
In addition, the Ross County Auditor handles several other tax or fee related issues for the county, including: homestead exemption applications, owner-occupancy tax reduction, the current agricultural use valuation program, the vendor’s licenses for regular businesses, and tax-exempt applications from governmental or non-profit organizations. The Ross County Auditor is also the Sealer of Weights and Measures for Ross County.
The Ross County Auditor is also the permanent Secretary of the Board of Revision. The Board of Revision is responsible for ruling on property assessments prior to the issuance of the real estate tax list. The County Treasurer and the President of the Board of Commissioners are also on the Board of revision.
The 2016 Valuation Schedule can help highlight how real property is valued in Ross County. Generally, the valuation of real property in Ohio is simple. Under Ohio law, the Auditor determines a fair market value for each property. Fair market value reflects the price a willing buyer and seller would agree upon in an open market, and can be calculated in a number of ways.
The Treasurer then collects taxes based on property value and current tax rates (millage).
Taxes and tax rates are determined by voters, but assessment value has a set formula. The State of Ohio has authorized the following formula for the calculation of property taxes: Market Value x 35% = Assessed Value. Assessed Value X Tax Rate/ 1000= Current Real Estate Tax/Year. Current Tax x Reduction Factors= Reduction Credits. Current Tax- Reduction Credits = Tax Subtotal. Tax Subtotal – Non-Business Credit = Net Taxes Per Year. Net Tax + Special Assessments (is applicable) = Total Taxes Per Year. Total Tax / 2 = Current Half Tax Due
Real property includes land and any permanent fixtures or improvements to the land, including buildings, structures, fences, or swimming pools. Fair market values can change for a number of reasons including: new construction, remodeling, removing improvements, or improving the property. In addition, market trends or conditions can influence value.
In Ohio, the County Auditor is an elected position with a term of office of four (4) years. The current Ross County Auditor is Thomas Spetnagel, Jr. Before entering office, the County Auditor gives a bond by a bonding or surety company, conditioned on the faithful discharge of his duties. The County Auditor must complete at least 16 hours of continuing education courses during the first year of his or her term and another eight hours by the end of the four-year term. These courses must be approved by the County Auditors Association of Ohio.
You can reach the Ross County Auditor during business hours, which are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm:
Ross County Auditor’s Office
2 North Paint St., Suite G
Chillicothe, Ohio 45601-3187
Phone:740-702-3080
Fax:740-772-6748
Email:tomspetnagel@rosscountyohio.gov
Website
Thomas Spetnagel, Jr. is the current Ross County Auditor. He is an elected official serving a four-year term. Ross County is a medium county in the Beatrice micropolitan area. The Ross County Auditor uses comparable market values to assess the value of real property in Ross County for the purposes of taxation, as well as handling various other tax-or-fee related issues for Ross County.