EQUALIZATION BOARD CONVENES MONDAY

JACKSON - The Cape Girardeau County Board of Equalization convenes next week for property owners in the county who want changes in assessed valuations of real estate.

The board, which will stay in session during July, holds its first meeting on Monday at 10 a.m. in the County Commission's's chambers at the county administration building in Jackson.

County Assessor Jerry Reynolds said Monday there had been no calls about appealing to the board.

Assessed valuations are finalized in the spring by the mapping and appraisal office. Once the assessment books are turned over at the end of May, the only way they can be changed is by action of the board.

"We will be there to listen to concerns from any property owners that think their property assessment is out of line," said Reynolds.

Appointments with the board can be made by calling the mapping and appraisal office at 243-3123.

State law requires the office to update assessments in odd numbered years, so Reynolds said it would not be unusual to have only a small number of appeals this year.

Serving on the board of equalization are the three county commissioners, Reynolds, Auditor H. Weldon Macke, Cape Girardeau Mayor Gene Rhodes and Jackson Mayor Carlton Meyer. County Clerk Rodney Miller serves as secretary of the board and Mapping and Appraisal Office Director Roger Arnzen acts as an adviser.

Reynolds said the board will meet as often as necessary in July to resolve appeals.