Total property valuations in Carroll County will exceed $1.687 billion for the next budget year. According to County Auditor Kourtney Payer, the overall valuations increased by $55.56 million, or 3.4 percent, for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 from FY24. However, that percentage increase is not equal across all properties, as rural and urban rates differ. For example, Payer notes rural property valuations increased by 3.18 percent for FY25.
Payer says urban properties saw a larger percentage increase but less in total dollars than rural valuations.
To curb cities and counties from increasing budgets too much year over year, a newly implemented state law forces municipal governments to cut back on proposed levies if valuations increase too quickly. Fortunately, Payer says that shouldn’t be an issue for Carroll County in FY25.
District 3 Supervisor Gene Meiners adds the county might be okay this year, but the board will need to remain vigilant of how growth occurs to avoid state-forced levy reductions. The board voted unanimously to accept the valuation report and will forward those figures to cities, schools, and county department heads to assist in the FY25 budget preparation process.
