Geiger, who was assessor for 16 years prior to her most recent term, said she would not continue to get the schooling.

Heath said she would set up a satellite office in Alexandria for people to have personal property and mobile homes assessed.

Next year, mobile homes and travel trailers would be assessed through the license branch. Businesses and farmers will not have to report inventory anymore either, taking some load off of the county office.

Personal service loss?

With consolidation comes loss of personal contact and convenience for residents of the county.

Sue Morgan, Lafayette Township assessor, said the personal service will be a major loss for citizens.

“They’re taking the local government away from the people,” she said.

The county assessor’s office had set hours of operations, while most township assessors work any time of day, any day of the week, Melinda Padgett, Adams Township assessor said.

“There have been several times where someone doesn’t think their assessment is quite right, and I come out and look at it,” she said. “I’ve gone out on evenings and on weekends. Of course, the county won’t be available on evenings and weekends, and that’s when people are home.”

When damaging storms recently ripped through Madison County, Green Township lost two barns. Greg Valentine, Green Township assessor, said he had them taken off the tax rolls the next day. When a house burned in Ingalls, he went to the courthouse and decreased the value.

“The taxpayers have lost the only ally they had in their locale,” Valentine said. “As of July 1, you’ve lost the only asset you had as far as a question about a pole barn, a garage or why you were assessed a certain way.”

Valentine said the county is unaware of many small, home-based businesses, as well.

“I have businesses working out of their house, who never turn in the proper forms. I assess their computers and desks and file cabinets. If it goes to the county level, they’re not going to know who the small businesses are in the townships.”

Valentine said eight Green Township businesses refuse to do any related paperwork and it’s up to him to evaluate what each is worth.

Padgett said she never received notification of new construction in Markleville, but had to rely on her own powers of perception.