Polk County Tax Assessor John Bridgers estimates that approximately 250 residents formally appealed the county&39;s new property values on about 350 parcels.

Residents filed approximately 1,100 informal appeals to the new values, and formal appeals for about 350 parcels have been sent to the E&R board.

The hearings have been taking place in the county&squo;s community development building. Next week the E&R will meet two days, the following week the board will meet one day, and there are still a few more parcel hearings to schedule.

Bridgers says typically the E&R board is making decisions on the property values after the taxpayer leaves the hearing, and the taxpayer is notified by mail of the board&squo;s decision. For some parcels, the board has decided a site visit is needed and following the hearings the board will schedule a day to conduct site visits and decide on the values.

Polk County was required this year to do a property revaluation, making all property values reflect fair market value as of Jan.1, 2009. The state requires all counties to conduct revaluations at least every eight years. Polk County&squo;s last revaluation was done in 2001, so prior to this year, all assessments were based on 2001 values.

The county&39;s tax base increased by about 34.6 percent as a result of the revaluation.