County Commissioner Chairman invites city, village and school officials to attend protest hearings

This past week, York County Commissioner Chairman Randy Obermier sent a letter to all the members of the village boards, city councils and the school boards for York, McCool and Heartland — inviting them to attend valuation protest hearings before the county board of equalization. 
The following letter was sent to each: 
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​To whom it may concern:
York County has recently started our budget process for the 2025-2026 budget year. Our budget year runs from July 1 – June 30. This year will see some changes for us, as the lid computation and formula have been thrown out. We will use inflation and a growth factor to figure out our allowable increase in property tax spending, along with keeping an eye on how our budget will deal with the famous pink postcard. Challenging yes, impossible no.
During the months of June and July we will also be dealing with the valuation notices that the York County Assessor mailed out a couple of weeks ago. These new values we all use to figure out our levies. In some instances, these values are challenged through a protest hearing. At these hearings the protesters are asked to show how their value is unfairly set in reference to other properties like theirs. These hearings will take place on June 24, July 8, and possibly July 22. The set values need to be delivered to the state by July 25. I would like to invite all other officials from York County political subdivisions to attend one of our hearings to listen to the people we all represent. Most everyone who sits at that table in front of us and swears to tell the truth realizes the connection between values set and taxes levied. I feel challenged by the taxpayers to continue to provide the services we provide with a modest increase to their property taxes — proving to them the value is a number, our budgets, all our budgets, is the taxes they pay.
Along with the protest hearings York County will have budget workshops on August 5 and 19. Once again, you all are welcome to view this process, to hear how we deal with requests from department heads and elected officials. While trying to balance that modest increase I spoke of earlier. Thank you for what you all do on your individual boards to make York County a great place to live.
Randy Obermier, Chairman of the York County Board of Commissioners