Homeowners upset with property tax revaluations expect answers Monday

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — The view of the lake from Jim Juhl's house in Cornelius can be breathtaking. But Juhl didn't realize what price Mecklenburg County put on it.

"We were certain the assessed value was higher than we can sell this house for," said Juhl.

Juhl got a separate appraisal done and the value of his home was deemed to be $251,000 less than the value Mecklenburg County came up with when it sent Juhl his property revaluation last year.

Juhl isn't alone. Dozens of other people have contacted us in the past year with similar complaints. County commissioners heard from so many frustrated neighbors that the county decided to hire an independent auditor to investigate.

"We need to figure out how we screwed up," said Mecklenburg County Commissioner, Bill James. He hopes the auditor can reveal what processes in the county's assessment of property values lead to some values which seem inflated.

Beginning Monday, the auditor will hold a series of six public meetings explaining what's been uncovered so far. James wants homeowners to be allowed to explain the particulars of their individual cases to the auditor as well.

"I'm hopeful people will come and bring documentation showing that the revaluations were flawed," said James. "So, that we can fix some of these problems.

Juhl said he would attend one of the meetings on Tuesday in Cornelius.

"I think I'll go to let them know I'm unhappy, just as many people are here," Juhl said.

All meetings are from 7 to 9 p.m. They are open to the public, and registration is not required.

District 1: July 31 -- Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave.
District 2: Aug. 9 -- First Baptist West Chapel, 1801 Oaklawn Ave.
District 3: Aug. 2 -- Beatties Ford Branch Public Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road
District 4: Aug. 6 -- Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 E. Fourth St.
District 5: Aug. 7 -- Charlotte Mecklenburg Senior Centers - 2225 Tyvola Road
District 6: July 30 -- Matthews Town Hall, 232 Matthews Station St.

WSOC