Assessor

Department Alert

Reappraisal Project 

Lucas Co Assessor, Alyson Palmer, is announcing that door-to-door inspections of all residential, commercial, and industrial properties in Lucas Co will begin approximately May 26, 2026.

A reappraisal project was approved by the Conference Board in February 2023.

The purpose of the project is to equalize property assessments so that each taxpayer is responsible for paying only his/her fair share of the property tax burden.  Periodic inspections and reappraisal of properties is necessary, as all types of properties do not increase or decrease in value at the same rate. Some properties physically deteriorate faster than others, and in many instances similar properties located in different areas of the county will differ greatly in value due to economic factors.

Data collectors with photo ID signed by the assessor will attempt to make interior and exterior inspections of all properties. They will be compiling information to be used to estimate the fair market value of each property.  Information to be collected includes type of construction, type of interior finish, physical condition of the property, age of structures and exterior measurements.  A complete sales analysis, local construction costs, and economic conditions are also considered.  No estimate of value will be given at the time of inspection.

Property owners are asked to cooperate by allowing a complete inspection of their property and providing accurate information so that a fair and equitable assessment may be determined for each property.

The preliminary data collection process will begin in late May or early June, 2026. The project is scheduled for completion December 31st, 2027.

Notice of final value estimates will be mailed to each property owner after January 1, 2028.  The property owners will have an opportunity to meet informally to discuss their revaluation in the spring of 2028.

The new assessed values will be effective for January 1st, 2028, for taxes payable in fiscal 2029-2030.

Representatives of Vanguard Appraisals, Inc., in conjunction with the Lucas County Assessor’s Office will be conducting this project.

All law enforcement agencies as well as the Lucas County Assessor’s Office will be apprised of the areas where data collectors are working.  They will also have a listing of all names and license plate numbers of anyone involved in the project.

If any property owner has questions regarding the reappraisal project, they are urged to contact the Lucas County Assessor’s Office at 641-774-4411, extension 2, or email: palmera@lucasco.org

The Iowa Department of Revenue recommends having a complete revaluation every 10 years.

Vanguard Appraisers will knock on door.

If not home:

• They will measure exterior and try to come back in the next few days to get ahold of you
• If not home the second time they will leave a door hanger to set up appointment or to call to let them know about your property

If home:

• Vanguard appraiser will introduce themselves and will be wearing ID
• They will ask to conduct an interior/exterior review
• If both are accepted they will do them

If you don’t want in home but allow exterior

• Appraiser will ask you questions about interior finishes, bathrooms, bedrooms, etc
• They will then complete the exterior

If you say no to both

• Appraiser will leave but will take pictures from the road and information from road
• They will have to estimate property information and look at other sources to come up with a value

Responsibilities of the owner

1. Iowa Code 428.1 & 441.19 - Property Owners have a responsibility under these codes to assist the assessor in listing their property.
   • Assistance can be a full inspection, conversation at the door or over the phone
2. Iowa Code 441.24(1) it is the property owner’s legal responsibility to report to the assessor changes or improvements to their real estate

Responsibilities of the assessor

1. Iowa Code 441 we must list and value all real property.
2. Keep Records up to date and valued at market value every 2 years

All with the assistance of the property owner.