July 3, 2022
By Editor Rachel Scofield

Funding for the Pickerington Senior Center will expire at the end of the year unless voters approve a renewal levy on the November ballot.

If renewed, the five-year 0.2 mill Senior Services Levy would raise $232,000 per year. The owner of a property with an appraised value of $300,000 (and an assessed value of $105,000) would pay about $13.89 per year. A mill equals about $1.00 for every $1,000 of assessed value; this Senior Services levy qualifies for non-business and owner occupancy credits from the state.

Senior Center President Doug Hoek said that the center depends on levy funds to pay its two employees and cover utilities bills. In addition, the center “requires more maintenance than it did 20 years ago.”

“We need it to be approved to continue to offer services to seniors,” Hoek said. “Unfortunately, a lot of our members are alone having lost their spouse.”

People gather at the center to socialize and play games.

“To me it’s like a second family,” Hoek said. “My wife is in there playing chair volleyball – she loves it.”

The center charges a membership fee of $13.00 per year for anyone 50 years and over. That fee gives members use of the senior center building, a monthly newsletter and access to programs and activities, including lifeline screenings, health seminars, flu shots and educational workshops.

As Pickerington has grown, so has the Senior Center. Today, there are activities for a variety of interests. Educational seminars are held often on topics related to health care, financial planning and legal issues for seniors. Card parties, fellowship dinners, bingo games, corn hole, Title Boxing, crafts and quilting are some of the weekly activities going on. A membership luncheon with a program is held the third Tuesday of each month at noon. The Senior Center sponsors trips all around the world and a wide variety of local day trips.

Hoek is a regular at the Friday afternoon friendly euchre game. He warns anyone who enjoys socializing over cards to avoid the “hardcore” euchre group on Wednesdays.

For a daily schedule and a listing of upcoming events, you may view the center’s newsletter on their website: www.pickeringtonseniorcenter.org.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a member, please mail the completed application along with a check for $13.00 to: Pickerington Senior Citizens Center, 150 Hereford Drive, Pickerington, Ohio 43147.

Note that property values in Fairfield County will be reassessed in 2022.

“Ohio’s oldest tax, real estate taxes, have been ad valorem – meaning, based on value – since 1825,” Fairfield County Auditor Carri Brown said. “The state helps to ensure uniformity and fairness with real estate taxes through its oversight of county appraisal work.”

Ohio requires county auditors to update property values to reflect the current market.  Every six years properties must undergo reappraisal. Three years after each reappraisal the county must update property values based on the market – this triennial update is currently underway in Fairfield County.

“Communities do see increases in tax revenue by having more taxable property (new construction) in one year than in the previous year,” Brown said.

One type of new construction would be a new house that is built. Another type would be an upgrade of an existing property.

In the coming weeks, property owners will receive information in the mail about the newly state-approved valuation of their property. 

“It is important to keep in mind that an increase in a property’s fair market value does NOT automatically lead to an increase in property taxes owed – nor does it mean there will be a “dollar for dollar” increase,” Brown said.

While property value is part of the formula for calculating property taxes, it is not the only variable.

“If anyone has questions or concerns regarding the appraised value of property (based on fair market value), they should feel free to contact us,” Brown said. “We can hold a meeting to discuss evidence and facts that show how the valuation might need to be adjusted.”

For more information on the property value reassessments, please read, Fairfield County Triennial Property Valuation Occurs in 2022.

The Fairfield County Auditor’s website is: co.fairfield.oh.us/ or you can call the office at (740) 652-7030.