COLUMBIA, S.C. — Some Richland County residents say they’ve seen an increase on their latest property tax bill.
According to Richland County Auditor Paul Brawley, the increase resulted from a county-wide reassessment of property taxes last year.
"In most of those cases, the property values have gone up. And, and a lot of the cases that went up at least between 10 and 15%," " Brawley said. "As a result of that, if the property values go up, naturally, the taxes will go up."
"Richland County went through a reassessment period," he added. "All counties have to reassess property values every five years. Most of the citizens that received the reassessment notice, I think they received them in August."
Concerned Richland County taxpayers expressed their anger on social media, asking why their money is going towards areas like Midlands Technical College or Riverbank Zoo.
Brawley said it's all a part of making a better Richland County.
“All of that is part of the ... mixture that makes Richland County great, you know, make it a great place to live," he said. "While we may not go to the zoo, it’s one of the things that attracts a lot of people to Richland County. And as a result of that, hospitality taxes and other things come into the county as a result of that.”
If you were not on the list of people who received the notice this summer, your property value likely did not increase by more than $1,000.
"But if you still don't agree with what your value is, and if it didn't increase by more than $1,000, you have until January the 15th -- which is the first penalty date to pay your taxes -- to appeal it.
If you received a notice, you have until Nov. 14 to appeal your tax balance to the tax accessor's office.