Property tax rates have increased significantly this year in Lorain County, as well as other parts of the state, which Lorain County Auditor Craig Snodgrass attributes to the real estate market and taxes.

Overall, the average increase in residential real estate in Lorain County is about 31 percent, Snodgrass said.

Other counties, such as Cuyahoga County, have seen a 32 percent increase, he said.

Stark, Erie and Lake counties also saw sharp increases, Snodgrass said.

The housing market has been booming for five to six years, which is a major factor in the rise in property prices, he said.

“We don’t have a valuation problem in this state,” he said. “But we really do have a tax problem in this state.”

“Let’s start with school funding. How many decades ago did the (state) Supreme Court rule that it was unconstitutional for us to make schools heavily dependent on property taxes?

“And nothing significant has been done to change that. About 60 to 65 percent of the tax burden goes to schools. That might be a starting point.”

When state and federal lawmakers give tax breaks to automakers and other large corporations, it contributes significantly to citizens paying higher taxes because there is always someone left to foot the bill, Snodgrass says.

The Audit Office conducted a mass appraisal, evaluating about 300,000 properties in Lorain County, as required by law, he said.

“Are we going to get it right with everyone?” asked Snodgrass. “No.”

If a resident believes the auditor’s office’s new estimate of value is incorrect, the property owner has the opportunity to obtain an outside appraisal and contest the matter before the Board of Auditors, said County Commission Vice President Dave Moore.

For example, a property owner in Brighton Township who wished to remain anonymous received a letter informing her that her home, previously valued at $220,000, was now worth only $350,000.

The woman and her husband were on a fixed income due to their advanced age and were alarmed when they learned that the value of their home had increased significantly, she said.

Moore said the value of his property has also increased.

Before becoming county commissioner, Moore said he went to the Board of Auditors with an attorney and an outside appraisal of his property and was able to get a rent reduction.

Meanwhile, Moore and Commission President Jeff Riddell said they are in talks about possibly cutting county taxes to provide relief to taxpayers.

However, Snodgrass warned commissioners to be cautious because if they cut tax amounts, there is a chance someone else could use the money instead.

Commissioners could discuss the matter at a board meeting next week.