Why does the County use equalization?

The use of equalization by the County is primarily aimed at ensuring that the distribution of property taxes is fair and equitable among different municipalities within the county. Equalization helps to level discrepancies that may arise from varying assessment practices and methodologies across different jurisdictions. This process ensures that each municipality contributes its fair share toward the total tax revenues needed to fund county services.

When property values are assessed at different rates or are not uniformly applied, it can lead to unequal taxation among property owners. By conducting equalization, the county can adjust property values to reflect a standardized assessment level, which helps to maintain equity in the distribution of tax burdens. This ultimately supports the fair share principle, ensuring that areas that may historically under-assess property values are adjusted to meet their proportional contributions to county finances.

The other choices, while related to the functions of a County in property management and tax collection, do not directly align with the primary purpose of equalization, which is focused on achieving a fair distribution of tax responsibilities.