Property taxes due Friday

Friday is the last day to pay personal property and real estate taxes in Faulkner County.

Tax Collector Steve Simon said his office is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

"It's been a busy week, and we look for Thursday and Friday to be busier," Simon said Wednesday.

Taxpayers may drop their payment in a drop box located inside the front doors of the assessor's office if they have their checks written already, he said, adding there may be a line. Also, payments sent in the mail will be considered on time if they are postmarked Friday.

Simon said his office has received several calls regarding why real estate taxes went up.

Assessor Jeff Stephens reported earlier this year that state law requires all counties to reassess property values every five years, and in growing areas such as Faulkner County, assessments must be conducted every three years.

Arkansas Mass Appraisal Group performed appraisals for the county, examining every sale that occurred in 2007.

Stephens said in cases of dramatic increases, it is likely the properties were assessed too low the last time. He said the average increase for Faulkner County was about 4 percent.

The reappraisal was based on sales in 2007 to determine the value of property in the county on Jan. 1, 2008, payable in 2009.

(Staff writer Rachel Parker Dickerson can be reached by e-mail at rachel.dickerson@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1277. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)