Mailboxes in Callaway County are beginning to see impact notices from the Assessor's Office for 2015.
Administrative Secretary to the State Tax Commission Sandy Wankum said agricultural land parcels have been reassessed with an approximate five percent increase in land value. Agriculture parcels haven't changed in value since 1995, Callaway County Assessor Jody Paschal said.
The increased land and property values for both residential and agricultural parcels means an increase in property taxes, which are distributed to fire districts, ambulance dispatch and libraries, Paschal said.
"All things to improve our county," Paschal added.
Residential properties are valued according to the market value of the neighborhoods - whether or not the neighborhood is being revitalized with remodels, or if crime rates increase and property is commercialized, Paschal said.
An eight-grade system, which is used to value agricultural land parcels, bases the value on soil quality and productivity, Wankum said. Those grades are defined in the 2014 State Tax Commission Annual Report as:
Grade 1
The soil is highly favorable for a variety of uses; the land is adaptable to a wide range of crops suited for intensive cropping and produce dependable crop yields. Soil that is regularly wet and has a poor ability to drain are not considered Grade 1, according to the 2014 State Tax Commission Annual Report.
Slope: 0-2 percent
2015 Value: $1,035
Previous Value: $985
Grade 2
The soil requires some management, which includes conservation practices to avoid deterioration upland. Some limitations to classifying a Grade 2 land parcel include a slight to moderate vulnerability to erosion, damage overflows limited to one time in a five to 10-year span and the ability to drain standing water, according to the report.
Slope: 0-5 percent
2015 Value: $850
Previous Value: $810
Grade 3
The soil requires good management, however, conservation efforts are fairly difficult to apply and maintain. Limitations to classifying land parcels as a Grade 3 include a moderate vulnerability to erosion, occasional damage overflow and bottomland soils have poor absorption, drainage, or both, according to the report.
Slope: 2-7 percent
2015 Value: $645
Previous Value: $615
Grade 4
The soil is limited to crop rotations typically including small grains, hay or both. Limitations to classifying land parcels as Grade 4 include bottomland with a high quality rating subject to frequent damaging flooding, moderate quality bottomland subject to occasional damaging flooding, poor draining and shallow soil, according to the report.
Slope: 4-10 percent
2015 Value: $405
Previous Value: $385
Grade 5
The soil is not sufficient for continuous cultivation and the crop rotations include small grain, hay or both. Limitations to classifying land parcels as Grade 5 include frequent damaging flooding to moderate quality bottomland, occasional damaging flooding to lower quality bottomland and serious draining problems, according to the report.
Slope: 8-20 percent
2015 Value: $205
Previous Value: $195
Grade 6
The soil is limited mostly to pasture and sparse woodland as it is not suitable for cultivating. Limitations to classifying land parcels as Grade 6 include severe erosion hazards, moderate quality bottomland subject to frequent damaging flooding, poor quality bottomland subject to occasional damaging flooding and intensive management necessary for crops, according to the report.
Slope: 8-20 percent
2015 Value: $158
Previous Value: $150
Grade 7
The soil is unsuitable for cultivating and other severe limitations may not be capable of being corrected to provide land for grazing or forestry. Limitations to classifying land parcels as Grade 7 include severe erosion potential, frequent damaging flooding to poor quality bottomland, intensive management necessary for grass and timber productions and shallow topsoil, according to the report.
Slope: more than 15 percent
2015 Value: $79
Previous Value: $75
Grade 8
The soil is limited to plant growth and may be extremely eroded. Grade 8 level lands can be beneficial for wildlife populations and recreational purposes, according to the report.
2015 Value: $31
Previous Value: $30
To view the 2014 State Tax Commission Annual Report, which contains more information regarding these classifications, visit the fultonsun.com.
Agricultural land parcels that aren't being used to produce crops or other goods are based at a 12 percent market value. Land parcels that are being used for production rely on the grade system for value assessments, Wankum said.
All properties will be reassessed by July 1, however the general assembly can appeal land values with documents including pictures, sales contracts and private appraisals. Land values will not be finalized until appeals are complete. The general assembly has until July 15 to schedule appeal hearings with the Board of Equalization, Paschal said.