Steady growth and new construction contributed to modest gains in County assessment role during COVID-19 pandemic

SOLANO COUNTY – The Solano County Assessor-Recorder’s Office is pleased to announce that the local assessment roll for properties throughout the County for fiscal year 2021/22 increased by $1.8 billion in assessed value over last year, or approximately 2.97 percent.

“This is the ninth year that the total assessed roll value increased countywide,” said Glenn Zook, Solano County Assistant Assessor-Recorder.  “The residential real estate market showed persistent growth over the past year, while new construction continues to add value to the property tax roll, however, the percentage change is lower than in recent years, which is likely a result of COVID-19.”

At the close of the roll, the value of all assessable property in Solano County was nearly $62.7 billion ($62,693,504,984).  This “net roll” is used by local agencies as a starting point to calculate the distribution of property taxes for the benefit of the cities, schools, special districts, and local programs.

“Closing the roll this year involved some unique challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, but I am proud to announce the timely completion of this roll,” Zook said.  “As far as values are concerned, since the values in this assessment roll are based on the January 1, 2021 assessment date, the impact COVID-19 has had on local property values are reflected in these numbers, which may account for the lower percentage increase in the assessment roll.”

The County of Solano’s Net Roll consists of all assessable property discovered, valued and enrolled by the County Assessor, less those properties that are exempt from taxation.  It is separated into the “secured assessment roll” – generally land and improvements (such as structures) – and the “unsecured assessment roll” – primarily business/personal property (such as machinery and office equipment).

As real estate market values continue to rise, the number of properties on Proposition 8 status – which is a temporary reduction in a property value below the established Proposition 13 base year value – has decreased.  There are currently 7,081 parcels on Proposition 8 status, a decrease of 1,426 from the previous fiscal year.  The number of parcels on Proposition 8 status peaked in 2012 at 78,000 parcels.  There are 150,570 parcels countywide, spread between the seven cities and unincorporated County.

Under Proposition 13, when new construction is completed or a change in ownership occurs, the property is reassessed, and a new base year value is established.  Annual increases thereafter are limited to a 2 percent maximum per year.  However, when the market value falls below the Proposition 13 value, the market value becomes the basis for property taxes, known as the temporary enrollment of the Proposition 8 value.

Homeowners with property values were temporarily reduced or restored under Prop 8 or Prop 13 will receive a notice in the mail.  Proposition 8 notices are available online for property owners to view and print at http://www.solanocounty.com/depts/ar/viewpropertyinfo.asp. 

Property owners with questions about their assessment can contact the Assessor division of the Assessor-Recorder’s office at (707) 784-6210 and by e-mail at Assessor@SolanoCounty.com.  Taxpayers may also obtain information from the Solano County website www.SolanoCounty.com/Depts/AR