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October 10, 2018 is a day that will forever be etched into Bay County’s history. On that day, Hurricane Michael, a generational storm, slammed into Bay and neighboring counties bringing unprecedented devastation and destruction. Most Bay Countians have been effected, myself and my staff included. Our office is currently conducting storm damage assessments. We are utilizing state of the art software applications as well as boots on the ground to accurately account for the damage one has incurred. Please note that any damage consideration applied to a property will be reflected on one’s 2019 tax bill. We are working diligently on our storm damage assessment process and we want to hear from you. If you have incurred damage, I encourage you to click on the Hurricane Damage link and complete as applicable. If you own a business and had damage to your equipment or furnishings, please complete the TPP Hurricane Damage Form. The more information we have the better. Hurricane Michael was a very powerful storm. But its power pales in comparison to the strength and resiliency of Bay Countians. And, if you have been displaced by Hurricane Michael, please use our online address change feature to provide us your new mailing address. Finding that perfect house or lot or acreage parcel just got easier! Turn on our new MLS Listings layer. Parcels listed on the Bay County Association of Realtors MLS and parcels in Mexico Beach listed on the Franklin/Gulf Counties Realtors Association MLS will be highlighted in purple. Simply click on a purple parcel to be taken to the Parcel Information Table where you will see a MLS link. Click on that link and you will be taken directly to the listing. I and your local Realtors hope you find this new feature helpful. Hello. At the Bay County Property Appraiser's Office, our goal is to provide outstanding service to the citizens and property owners of Bay County. We are ever mindful that we work for you. The information provided on our website is regularly maintained for your benefit. I encourage your comments and suggestions; as we are always looking for ways to enhance our site's features. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you. If I can ever be of assistance, please give me a call or stop by for a visit. By state law, we must personally view each property in Bay County at least once every five years. That is why our field appraisers are busy these days inspecting, measuring and photographing the exteriors of properties throughout Bay County. Photos are for interoffice use only. Our appraisers are easy to recognize: all of them wear official shirts and each carries a BCPA photo identification card. Feel free to ask to see an ID if you have any concerns. Important Note: Our appraisers will NEVER ask to enter your home, and we will NEVER enter locked backyards. If you have questions about these inspections, please contact our office at (850) 248-8401. AN OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD FACT: The Property Appraiser does not determine the amount of taxes a property owner pays. Local Taxing Authorities, the School Board, and the Board of County Commissioners determine your taxes based on the millage rates, or dollars per thousand dollars of value they set. Property owners should not have to fear an appreciation in their property's value if millage rates are adjusted accordingly. As property values increase millage rates should decrease and vice versa. By statute, if property values increase and millage rates remain unchanged, it's a tax increase. The one exception to these rules relates to Save Our Homes. If you have a "Homesteaded" property you may see an increase in your assessed value even while the market value of your home drops. Under Florida Statues, the assessed value of homesteaded properties will increase by the amount of the CPI or 3% whichever is less. In this case your taxes may go up even though the millage rates remain the same. Sincerely,
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