What is one reason a cross petition may be filed by the assessor?

A cross petition is filed by the assessor primarily when there is a belief that the current assessment of a property is too low. This action allows the assessor to seek an increase in the property’s assessed value during an appeal process initiated by the property owner.

The rationale behind this is that when a property owner appeals an assessment, the scope of the appeal may open the door for the assessor to also argue for a reassessment that reflects a higher value if warranted. This is in line with the assessor's responsibility to ensure that properties are valued fairly and accurately according to market conditions and legal standards.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the purpose of a cross petition. Terminating an existing appeal would typically involve a different legal process and would not be the primary reason for a cross petition. Adjusting property records, while an important function of the assessor, does not specifically relate to the action of filing a cross petition in the context of an appeal. Filing a complaint against a property owner is outside the scope of the assessor’s duties regarding property valuation and appeal processes. Thus, the reason for filing a cross petition is firmly rooted in the assessor's role in maintaining equitable assessments by addressing valuations that may be too low.