Fayette County bowing under weight of tax appeals

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CONNERSVILLE — An eastern Indiana county is dealing with a backlog of tax appeals as hundreds of property owners challenge increases in their assessments.

Fayette County Assessor Kathy Rhodes tells The News-Examiner that her staff has received nearly 1,100 appeals of 2011 and 2012 assessments and is still working through a handful of appeals for taxes assessed in 2010.

Rhodes says she doesn't know why so many people are appealing increases as low as $500 but suspects Connersville's high property tax rate may be a factor.

The number of appeals in Fayette County appears high compared with other communities. The Franklin County assessor's office staff said 95 appeals have been filed for 2012. Union County hadn't received any appeals as of last week.