This past summer had Franklin residents concerned that big-time reassessments would soon be heading their way. They were right to worry.

When reassessments came in the mail in 2017 people were ticked, commenting on social media like crazy about having done zippo on their land and properties, only to see values skyrocket. The increases were outrageous increases, one as high as $116,000.

The ugly scenario repeated itself in July of this year.

On a Franklin Facebook page Mayor Olson waged in on a rather intense discussion about the reassessments Franklin property owners received in the mail. From the page:

Re-assessment does not necissarily mean an increase in taxes.

Excuse me?

He actually wrote that?

Yes he did.

Technically the mayor was right.

But it’s still a LOL moment.

A colleague of mine who is a Franklin resident and has worked in banking and finances his entire career nearly spit out his teeth when I told him about our mayor’s comment.

Indeed. Who does he think he’s snowing?

Look, the odds are pretty tremendous that when a reassessment goes up, and the average increase in Franklin reportedly was just under 6%,  your taxes are going up.

Advantage Credit Counseling Service, Inc. (ACCS) is an agency that provides private, confidential budget, credit counseling as well as a special debt management program.

They dedicated a very informative page on their website to reassessments. Some of the key highlights:

• As many as 60 percent of properties across the country are over assessed, according to the National Taxpayers Union.
• Homeowners can lower the assessed value of their home by filing an official appeal with the assessment office.
• However, only 2 to 3 percent of homeowners actually attempt an appeal, and usually only 20 to 40 percent of those appeals are successful.

The powers that be will tell you the process is fair and accurate. I submit it’s a scam with the true motivation being to over-tax you, and I’m not alone.

THE TOP 10 FRANKLIN STORIES OF 2018

1) ?
2) ?
3) Reassessments outrage
4) Logsdon upsets incumbent Taylor
5) Police? No. A remodeled City Hall? YES
6) Like it or not Franklin, you’re getting another roundabout
7) Franklin OKs K4
8) Franklin fights but loses on Dark Store loophole
9) Finally Franklin admits they’ve got a developer problem
10) Fun, Fun, Fun in Franklin