By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
Canadian County Assessor personnel “came to a location near you” twice in January to help taxpayers obtain exemptions on their properties.
Assessor Matt Wehmuller’s office recently provided a mobile service in Yukon and Mustang as they “hit the road” to help taxpayers apply for the senior property valuation freeze along with homestead, manufactured home and 100% disabled veteran exemptions.
Offering mobile sites was something Wehmuller and his staff started discussing last year.
“We recognized many senior citizens and individuals with full-time jobs were challenged to make it to our office during normal business hours,” Wehmuller said. “This, in conjunction with the success of the mobile payment sites, led us to believe that the time was right to try hosting these meetings again. This time we tried something different by strategically targeting community centers. Both the attendance and feedback we received were very positive!”
Ironically, statute previously required the Canadian County Assessor’s Office to host meetings at various places across the county.
But these meetings were poorly attended with, at times, only one or two people coming to a location. That law was changed in 2012 to no longer require this.
Mustang-area residents were helped Jan. 18 at the Mustang Community Center while Yukon-area residents received assistance Jan. 29 at the Dale Robertson Center.
The mobile assessor’s site in Yukon was originally scheduled for Jan. 22 but had to be postponed a week because of slick, icy conditions that day.
“Even with the weather challenges, the meetings were well-attended and the feedback we received was very positive,” Wehmuller said. “Many taxpayers expressed their desire that these meetings be continued.
“Based on this, we are considering other meeting locations in Canadian County next year and how we might expand the services we offer at the mobile locations.”
MUCH APPRECIATION
Canadian County Assessor’s Office deputy Renee Major said taxpayers appreciated the information and guidance that she and fellow assessor’s deputy Lynn Avey were providing Jan. 29 in Yukon.
“We’re going to try to do this every year,” Major said. “Sometimes it’s hard for people to get to our office in El Reno, so this is convenient to them.
“We’ve already had more than 20 people today and we also had a good turnout in Mustang.”
People visiting with the assessor’s staff inside the Dale Robertson Center were most interested in the senior freeze (for age 65-plus with $86,000 maximum household income) and homestead exemptions.
Yukon’s Warren and Opal Yule were there to make sure they have the exemptions they are eligible to receive. The Yules expressed their gratitude to the Canadian County Assessor’s Office for offering this mobile site.
They also said they needed to join the Dale Robertson Center, which offers daily activities for local seniors Monday through Friday. While the Yules were being helped, participants in a large class were practicing their moves right next to them.
Canadian County’s assessor was pleased with the response to the recent mobile sites in Yukon and Mustang.
“Those who attended said they appreciated the convenience of our mobile sites versus having to travel to our office – especially those with handicaps,” Wehmuller said. “While many forms can be submitted online, we are required to verify tax return information for the senior freeze and the original raised seal letter for the 100% disabled veteran programs, both of which can only be done in person.”
Applications for the senior freeze, homestead exemptions, manufactured home exemptions and 100% disabled veteran exemptions must be completed by March 15.
The Canadian County Assessor’s Office, 200 N Choctaw in El Reno, is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information, county taxpayers should call (405) 295-6331 or go to www.CanadianCounty.org.
