Hi Emma,

What are you looking forward to this summer? Pool days or star gazing? Farmers markets or concerts? Camping or air conditioning? These warm months go by so fast, it feels like I never have enough time to enjoy everything. I'd love to hear what you and your family always make time for in the summer. Reply to this email and tell me all about it!

Alright, let's dive in.

Assessments!

It's the time of year we all look forward to: long days, barbeques, and assessment notices. If you're a property owner, you should have received your 2025 assessment notice or it will arrive very soon.

Here's what you should expect to find when you receive your notice:

Some property values are rising—specifically for homes and commercial buildings. But don’t panic: a higher assessed value doesn’t automatically mean higher property taxes. Final tax amounts depend on local budgets and levy rates, which are set later this year.

What’s going on?

Real estate prices in the area continue to rise, and Idaho law requires assessed values to stay close to market value. The state checks counties every year to make sure our assessed values fall between 90% and 110% of actual market value.

As Assessor Anita Hymas said, "It’s important that people understand not just what’s happening with property values, but why it’s happening." Here's an explanation about why your value may have increased this year.

Commercial Property Updates

In 2025, assessed values for commercial properties increased to better reflect current market conditions. New commercial pricing data and recent sales showed that previous assessments had fallen behind real market trends. These updates will bring commercial properties into compliance with state standards -- and more equitably distribute the tax burden across commercial and residential property owners.

Residential Property Updates

Residential property values generally rose. Last year, the Assessor’s Office took a conservative approach by valuing homes at around 92% of market value. However, because property values have continued to climb, the state found that our residential values had dropped below the legal minimum. To stay in compliance, values will be adjusted for 2025, though the office will continue to apply conservative estimates where appropriate.

A recent news release from the Assessor explains the increase in more detail.

Budget Hearings Matter

Your notice includes the budget hearing dates for your taxing districts. Idaho is a budget-driven levy state, which means these hearings directly affect the levy rate used to calculate your property taxes. We strongly encourage you to review proposed budgets and attend these hearings.

Appeal Deadline – June 23, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

If you have concerns about your assessed value, you can appeal to the Board of Equalization. Before filing an appeal, the Assessor's Office asks that you to speak with one of their appraisers to review your property details together (such as finished basements, room counts, etc.) to make sure their information is accurate.

If you have questions, you can reach out to the Assessor’s Office or visit: www.bannockcounty.gov/assessor

Understand the appeals process

How to read your assessment notice

Special Feature

Bannock County's FY2026 Budget

The Bannock County Clerk’s Office kicked off the FY2026 budget process in April. This months-long process helps set the budget for the fiscal year starting October 1, 2025.

How it Works:

Departments submit budget requests, including funding priorities for capital purchases.
In June, departments meet with the Clerk and Commissioners to explain their requests.
On July 21, the Clerk presents a balanced budget to the Board.
July 22–31, work sessions will be held to refine that budget.
By August 5, a proposed budget will be finalized for public review.
A public hearing is scheduled for August 26 at 11 a.m. at the courthouse.

Why It Matters:

County budgets fund essential services using property taxes, fees, intergovernmental funds, and more. Bannock County has 31 other taxing districts, including cities, schools, fire and cemetery districts. Your taxes may fund multiple districts depending on where you live.

Want to Know More?

Check out the Taxing District Code Area Map to see which districts you pay into. Once budgets are set, levy rates are calculated to determine your tax bill, which is sent in November.

Stay Informed:

ICYMI

The wait is over! The Bannock County Courthouse remodel is complete and the new ADA entrance is open. Check out the new parking lot, ADA features, and more next time you visit. Or you can see photos of the remodel here.

The complete summer line-up of concerts at the Port is here! There's something for everyone this summer. Check out the line-up here.

Get your tickets to these amazing shows before they're gone -- https://www.etix.com/ticket/

Last month, we celebrated the Grand Opening of the McCammon Fire Station! This state-of-the-art facility will bring faster, life-saving emergency services to over 15,000 residents, stretching from south of Inkom to Downey. Check out these pictures from the ribbon cutting and grand opening.

The Bannock County Sheriff's Office is preparing to announce a new app. The app will provide users with the daily reports & jail roster, allow them to submit anonymous tips and search local sex offenders …and much more! Stay tuned for more announcements.

For those of you wondering how I did in the Bengal Triathlon: I finished! My goal was to complete the triathlon and I did -- in an hour and 30 minutes. It was hard and fun and exhilirating. I'm excited to try again next year! But for now, I'm enjoying not having to train for anything.

Enjoy the warm weather!

~ Emma Iannacone

Public Information Officer

Have a topic you'd like me to cover? Email me at pio@bannockcounty.gov