Adjustments in Property Tax Billing for Residents of Bowling Green

Adjustments in Property Tax Billing for Residents of Bowling Green

Bowling Green residents can expect delays in the arrival of their property tax invoices this year. Traditionally, property tax bills are sent out in October, but residents will see them arriving in the mail starting from early to mid-November. The deadline for making payments will remain December 31, although this could change depending on the circumstances.

Reasons Behind the Delay

Katie Schaller-Ward, the city’s chief financial officer, outlined the primary reasons for the hold-up. One significant issue is related to the data obtained from the Warren County Property Valuation Administrator’s (PVA) office. “We have potentially multiple customer numbers for the same address, and so we’re trying to clean that up so they only get one bill, not multiple bills for the same property,” she explained.

In addition to data discrepancies, software incompatibilities are also causing delays. The PVA office uses a different program to manage its property value database than the one the city employs to organize and send out the invoices.

If everything goes as planned, Schaller-Ward is hopeful that the invoices will be dispatched by mid-November. However, she mentioned that should they encounter further issues, the deadline for payments might be extended into 2025.

Deadline Information

The current last day for property tax payments is set for December 31. Schaller-Ward clarified, “If something happens and we can’t get it done by mid-November, then we’ll have to look at a deadline change.” Any modifications to this deadline will require a vote from the Bowling Green City Commission. There is a precedent for such changes, as the deadline was pushed back to March 2022 following the tornadoes that occurred in December 2021.

Tax Rate Considerations

Residents are also waiting on final confirmation of the tax rate from the Bowling Green Independent School District (BGISD). The Board of Education voted to maintain the rate at 84.4 cents per $100. However, they have implemented a 45-day window during which the public can challenge this rate. Schaller-Ward noted the importance of finalizing these details before issuing tax documents, stating, “We can’t really finalize those documents until we have confidence that the city schools rate is not going to change.” The challenge petition period will close on October 18.

Statements from Local Officials

Joshua Hardy, the Warren County PVA, addressed the situation via email, stating his office played no role in the delay of property tax operations. “We’ve provided the tax roll, certified by the (Kentucky) Department of Revenue, to the taxing authorities on time,” he confirmed.

In early August, the Bowling Green city commissioners approved a small adjustment in the city’s tax rate for real estate. It was decreased slightly from $0.205 to $0.204 per $100 of assessed value. For example, on a property valued at $100,000, the owner would owe $204 in city taxes. The rate for personal property, however, remains steady at $0.260 per $100.

Understanding Local Tax Collection

Normally, tax collection begins in October, but if unexpected changes occur, such as this year’s adjustments, it can lead to delays. “The (Warren) County Clerk is unable to certify all of the property tax rates until the time allowed for the recall vote has elapsed,” Hardy explained. Once the county clerk certifies the tax rates, the responsibility for sending out tax bills falls to Warren County Sheriff Brett Hightower, allowing collection to begin.

As Bowling Green residents await news on their property taxes, timely updates from city officials will be essential for informed planning and budgeting.