Homeowners are wanting answers for how property assessments are calculated. Vigo County officials hosted a public hearing Friday after an NBC 2 investigation found unexplained differences in home values.
Many of the homeowners who spoke out at the hearing are from the Woodgate neighborhood. Some of them are the same people who protested new apartments being built behind them.
They pointed out examples of how upscale Richland Manor and other nearby neighborhoods have lower assessments for their land.
Another NBC 2 investigation also discovered unusual property assessments between political parties in Terre Haute.
Homeowners can file an appeal until Tuesday February 19. The state of Indiana has changed the appeal process by shifting the burden of proof from the property owner to the assessor.
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Property reassessments are causing controversy in Vigo County - and homeowners are demanding answers.
Around 50 property owners, mainly from Woodgate, gathered for a meeting on Friday, the theme of which seemed to be "I don't understand."
Homeowners questioned assessment officials about how these new values were determined.
The state uses a statistical model, but these Vigo County residents wondered why it's just not market value instead of a complicated formula.
According to officials, of the 331 properties in Woodgate, values went down on 40 percent, and neighbors say shows the community-wide inconsistencies.
"I, number one, cannot understand how my lot, my land, is so disproportionately priced or valued compared to my neighbors," said Woodgate resident Rick Wheeler.
Darlene Vaeth, who also lives in Woodgate, adds,"I don't know what is the true value. And I feel like how did it jump, like Mr. Rick Wheeler said, how did it jump... over double in one year when I haven't done anything?"
Vigo County residents have through Tuesday to file an official appeal of their property assessment.
