The Property Assessment Department has the responsibility to discover, list and estimate the value of all taxable property as of January 1^st of each year, except for manufacturing property which is assessed by the Department of Revenue. It is the Assessor’s responsibility to ensure that all properties within the City are valued uniformly as market trends dictate.

The Assessor must maintain accurate maps identifying each parcel of land in the City.

The Assessor maintains close coordination with other City Departments to keep informed of building activity.

For personal property assessment, attention must be given to businesses which sell, move or relocate within the City to make sure all property is assessed.

The Assessor makes a separate appraisal card for each parcel within the City. The office records your mailing address, prepares a legal description and identifies your property on an assessor’s map by parcel number. The department also records property transfers and makes the necessary changes.

The Assessor values property by the three approaches to value: the cost approach, sales approach and income approach.

The personnel in the Assessor’s Office will be glad to discuss any questions you may have about your assessment. If you have evidence that the assessment is more than the actual fair market value of your property, we welcome the opportunity to review all pertinent facts. Taxes will not be discussed.

If after discussing your assessment with the assessor, you are still not satisfied with the value estimate, you may file a written or oral notice of intent to object to your assessment with the Clerk/Treasurers Office. This objection must be filed 48 hours before the first meeting of the Board of Review. Board of Review meets the second Monday in May or within 30 days thereafter.

The Property Assessment Department can provide you with the following information for all parcels of real estate within the city limits:

Assessed values

Name and address of owners

Lot sizes

Legal Descriptions

Tax ID number on a property

Parcel Number

Deed’s

Abbreviated Sales History

Zoning

Parcels located in T.I.D. District

Land Surveys for some parcels

Subdivision Plat Maps

Some recorded easements

It is the City Assessor that has the responsibility of assigning addresses to all parcels within the City limits. The assignment of addresses is essential for identifying and locating properties throughout the City of Watertown. The Assessor also notifies the Post Office, Police & Fire Departments, Water Department, City Clerk, Building Inspection and the Engineering Office, when new addresses have been assigned or existing addresses have been changed.

The City Assessor urges you not to select or use an address that is different from the one assigned by assessment personnel. If your property requires an address change, or you have any questions regarding you current address, please feel free to contact the City Assessor at

262-4030.

.We are assessing professionals and we are truly proud of it.

.We have been called to one of the most important functions of government.

.We carry out our job with pride and excellence.

.We serve all people fairly and equally, regardless of who they might be.

.We show no favoritism.

.We do what is right.

.We do what is responsible.

.The wheels of government turn better because we are here.