Auditor tells Toledo flood victims of potential tax breaks

7/17/2008

Lucas County Auditor Anita Lopez and members of her staff will go door-to-door along Crawford Avenue in West Toledo this morning to remind residents they may qualify for a property tax break if floods the last two years have caused structural damage.

State law allows county auditors to reduce real estate values when a structure has been damaged by flood or other natural disaster, Ms. Lopez said.

Qualifying damage may include cracked foundations and walls, but does not include personal property loss such as ruined carpet, furniture, and appliances.

The lower value could result in a lower 2009 property tax bill.

Ms. Lopez, who will begin her tour about 10:30 a.m., estimates that about 150 homeowners have had some flooding.

She and staffers will leave a flyer explaining the program and an application on each door. And she'll knock.

"I've done a lot of door-to-door in my campaigning asking for people to vote for me," Ms. Lopez said. "If I can do it for a campaign, I can do it to help someone."