PRESS RELEASE
October 4, 2007

LA JOLLA – San Diego County elected officials announced today that homeowners affected by yesterday’s massive La Jolla landslide on Mount Soledad Road may be eligible for property tax relief.

Supervisor Pam Slater-Price, who represents La Jolla, announced today, along with Assessor/ Recorder/ County Clerk Greg Smith and County Treasurer/ Tax Collector Dan McAllister, that the county will assist residents in filing property tax reassessment forms.

“My thoughts and prayers are with all the families who are displaced, or in any way affected by this terrible tragedy,” Slater-Price said. “The county will offer all available resources to these homeowners during this difficult time.”

Homeowners have up to 12 months after the damage occurred to file the reassessment form, Smith said. He encouraged all property owners who suffered damage in excess of $10,000 to contact his office for the necessary claim form.

Upon receipt of the form, the Assessor’s office will investigate and determine if relief is available. The reduced value will remain in effect until the property is rebuilt or repaired.

If the owners repair or replace the house in a like or similar manner, they may retain their previous tax assessment and will not see an increase beyond what it was prior to the landslide.

“Losing a home to a landslide is devastating and my office is here to help in any way we can,” Smith said. “If residents are unsure whether they qualify for assistance, they can simply call us and we will help.”

The county Tax Collector’s office is set to mail property tax bills to La Jolla next week. The bills are due by Dec. 10. McAllister said landslide victims should begin the reassessment process as soon as possible, which could result in an adjusted bill.

“During this difficult time, our main concern is helping get folks through this process,” McAllister said. “My office will make every effort to help qualified landslide victims get their property tax bills adjusted in a timely fashion.”

The county’s “Reassessment of Property Damaged by Misfortune or Calamity” form is available on the Assessor’s Web site at www.sdarcc.com and click on the banner. For more information, contact the Assessor’s office directly at (858) 505-6262.
 
CONTACT: Erica Holloway @ (619) 531-5857