A recent tax assessment in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana has led to an uproar among homeowners, including Mandeville resident Mike Otillio. With assessments increasing by over 20 percent on average, many residents are questioning the significant jump in values. Chief Deputy Assessor Troy Dugas explained that the reassessment is based on property values from January 2023 and attributed the spike to supply issues in the area. Additionally, high millage rates in the parish have added to the financial burden on homeowners.
Over 1,600 homes, including Otillio’s, saw assessments increase by over 50 percent, qualifying them for a phased tax increase over the next four years. Concerned residents have taken to social media to express their frustrations, prompting the Assessor’s Office to address the misinformation being spread.
Otillio and other homeowners plan to file appeals to contest the assessments, with a window for review open until September 13. The tax rolls are set to be certified in October, providing homeowners with limited time to challenge the reassessment. While some taxing bodies have considered rolling back millages to alleviate the strain on property owners, St. Tammany Parish and the City of Mandeville have yet to make a decision.
The Assessor’s Office encourages residents to visit their website for more information on the assessment process and appeal procedures. As the community grapples with rising property values and tax rates, the outcome of these appeals could have significant financial implications for homeowners in the parish.
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