What is the primary focus of the equalization process?

The equalization process primarily aims to ensure the fair distribution of property tax revenues among municipalities and school districts. This process involves adjusting property assessments to reflect uniform valuation standards across different areas. By doing so, it addresses disparities that may arise from various assessment practices and helps ensure that property owners are taxed equitably based on the true value of their properties. This equitable distribution is crucial for maintaining fairness in the property tax system, ensuring that each locality receives its fair share of tax revenue without bias due to differing local assessment methods or values.

The other options refer to different aspects of property management and assessment. Assessing environmental impacts, although important, does not relate to the equalization of property tax revenues. Increasing market values focuses more on market dynamics rather than equitable tax distribution. Determining property ownership is essential for property rights and transactions but does not directly relate to the goal of achieving fairness in tax revenue distribution through equalization.