What is the current median assessed values of the houses in St. Louis County? I would tend to suspect that the assessed value increases were to catch up with what the houses are really valued at.

Now, if the assessed values exceed the market value by an unreasonable amount, then there is a need for a remedy.

I don’t own a home as I just stayed away from the crazy real estate bull market of late. Yet, the unrealistic assessments of property and the tax increases of late seem to be ridiculous. I am amazed why neither local media nor ordinary St Louisans do not protest about this. It seems local counties and cities have way too much power ! “Big government” may be a lot closer than Washington DC.

Craig, I have the same question, except mine increased 33%. Do they live in the same world that we do?

Excuse me for being ignorant though if you have to pay a yearly tax (rent) do you really own anything?

The comment left by Simian is actually correct. Those of you that are complaining about the large increase in assessed value need to take a look at the value that you were assessed prior. It was nowhere close to the actual value of your home, and I’d be willing to bet that if you tried to sell or refinance your home today, you would claim that your house is worth as much if not more than what the county is assessing your property.
I dislike “big government” just as much as the next guy (the next conservative guy that isn’t getting a hand-out, that is). But you all need to get a reality check. You have been paying too little taxes for years (myself included), and when the county finally remedied the situation you now want to complain. (Wow…if you truly feel this way, how are you going to feel about Uncle Sam if the Dems. get into office and raise your taxes?) Some of you honestly do have valid complaints, and there are remedies available to you to correct the situation. I suggest that if you honestly believe your property is worth so much less than the county claims, you start the process of correcting their records. Otherwise, stop jumping on the whiner’s bandwagon about how unfair you are being treated (when most of you aren’t) and accept your responsibility as a citizen to pay ACCURATE taxes.