03/13/2026
Help us help you, Lake and Lincoln Townships!
The Assessor's Office has been out in the area attempting to assess where the hardest-hit areas are. Please know that our hearts are with you and we want to do anything we can to alleviate some of the pressure for you!
We don't want to be in the way of clean-up efforts and we know that you are overwhelmed with the task of cleaning up and re-building. We are grateful that you are getting the support you need from your insurance companies and FEMA and reporting that information to 211 is VERY important...but equally important is that we want to adjust your assessments for tax purposes to account for what you've lost. We understand that this isn't your priority right now but we want to do what we can to help you.
If you've sustained structural damage to your home or outbuildings due to the storm please be sure to document it with photographs prior to cleaning up....we are glad that your insurance is allowing you to move forward so quickly, we just want to ensure that we have documentation to adjust your assessments if necessary and unfortunately without being in the way too much and with limited resources, we just aren't able to access everyone's property prior to clean-up efforts. The more information you can provide us with to make those adjustments, the better!
***THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART!***
Form 137R (below) is the disaster reassessment petition that we need you to fill out in order for us to be able to reassess your property for 2026 (2027 taxes) due to the storms. These forms are available at the Lake Township Fire Department (please see Nikki Hanger). We are also happy to provide you with the form via-email if you have access to a computer/printer or from our office if you happen to be in the Kentland area. We want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to file these forms and will make it as painless as possible. The form is short and very easy to fill out and we are more than happy to walk you through it over the phone or in person if necessary! We are here to help and support you!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let us know if you have structural damage and get us the form and photos (they do not need to be printed, we can arrange for text/e-mail submission or in-person viewing) if possible so we can get your assessment adjusted down if necessary. Please note that minimum damage such as detached gutters or missing shingles will potentially not qualify for a reduced value but if you have any type of actual structural damage to your home or outbuildings, it is imperative to file this form as soon as possible so we can physically inspect your property and make the necessary adjustments. We don't want you paying taxes on buildings that have sustained major damages.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 219.474.6081 ext #1500 from 8am - 4pm Monday - Friday or e-mail us at [email protected].
If you see us out and about in your area and have questions, wave us down, we're happy to stop and talk to you about your property!
***PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND NEIGHBORS!***
