You might have noticed that your last property tax bill went up a little bit.

In Mahoning County, there was an average 13.25 percent increase in property values that took effect this year.

Well, now the county is preparing for another property reappraisal that could mean another increase down the road.

Ohio law requires that all county auditors conduct a reappraisal of property values every six years.

Right now, Mahoning County is preparing for that long process.

Auditor Ralph Meacham says the process will start this spring with planes flying over properties, looking for new additions or demolitions.

"THE SOFTWARE WILL IDENTIFY CHANGES TO VERY HOUSE. SO IF WE SEE A CHANGE WE WILL SEE IF THERE WAS A BUILDING PERMIT TAKEN OUT OR A DEMOLITION PERMIT TAKEN OUT. IF THEY SEE A VARIANCE IN THAT THEY MAY SEND SOMEONE TO TAKE A PHYSICAL LOOK AT THAT," said Meacham.

No one will go inside your home but they might take pictures of your property.

If they do, they will knock on your door and notify you.

The county will then, through computer software, compare your property, land and buildings, to nearby ones and come up with a new value.

With real estate prices on the rise that will likely mean your taxable property value will increase, but you won't be able to take this value to the bank.

"YOU CANNOT TAKE YOUR AUDITOR'S assessment VALUE TO THE BANK. THEY AREN'T GOING TO ACCEPT IT AS A BASIS FOR A LOAN OR MORTGAGE OR ANYTHING ELSE. THIS IS A SEPARATE ISSUE THAN WHEN YOU REFINANCE," said Meacham.

The new values being assessed now won't take effect until your 2024 tax bill.

There will be a process where you can appeal if you think the assessment is too high.