Griffith residents are feeling it on their property tax bills this year.

Five years since the last town-wide reassessment, Griffith’s property taxes rose an average of 28% in 2023, according to figures from town officials.

Bringing up the subject at Tuesday’s Griffith Town Council meeting, Councilman Rick Ryfa, R-3rd, explained that Lake County’s “fair market value” assessment of Griffith properties is not necessarily reflected in the tax rate, but through the largely higher property valuations.

So, even if a tax rate goes down, your property taxes could still go up.

Indeed, if people can now sell their homes for more since the previous assessment, that price will likely be reflected in the property valuation and invariably increase the taxes on it.

Ryfa urged residents to make sure they were claiming the full amount of their Homestead, Supplemental and Mortgage exemptions, and that senior citizens should pursue eligibility for government tax assistance programs.

He said people could come in to Town Hall if they need advice on appealing an assessment — such as one resident who informed town officials his property taxes are 75% higher.

Griffith got the news in the mail

Lake County Treasurer John Petalas mailed property tax statements last week.

Only those properties valued less than before the previous reassessment most likely did not see an overall tax increase.

The taxing unit breakdown included an 11.34% decrease in Town of Griffith taxes, according to the county’s tax notification statement. Griffith Public Schools, having passed an education funding referendum last year, delivered a 42.59% increase, the biggest jump among taxing units.

Lake County taxes rose 12.8%, while North Township is up 10.17%, and Lake County Library taxes are 7.62% higher. Griffith is also subject to a “Special District” tax, which rose 8.59%. Meanwhile, property owners are assessed $45 by the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission.

Griffith pays the highest percentage of taxes to Griffith Public Schools, with a rate of $1.3057 per $100 assessed valuation.

Second is the Town of Griffith with a tax rate of $0.9757 — the only one that went down this year.

Lake County is third-most with a rate of $ 0.6484.

Adding to the higher cost of living is a hike in Griffith water rate this year — affecting a 15% net increase in the town utility bill — a rate that will continue to go up for the next seven years.

Rate increases from the city of Hammond, where Griffith gets its water, are essentially being passed down to local consumers.

Griffith’s water service now comes with a minimum monthly charge of $11.56.

Consumption is $4.35 for the first 5,000 gallons, according to the town’s figures.

Jim Masters is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.