![The block in Tremont, south of the I-490 overpass, where Carol Prusak's house was reappraised at three times its previous value. [Matt Richmond / ideastream]](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b758348/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x1686+0+0/resize/840x472!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F9%2F04%2Ftremontstreet_web.jpg)
Carol Prusak’s house on West 12 th St. in Tremont has been in her family for more than 100 years.
After the county’s reappraisal this year, her home’s value went up from $42,700 to more than $129,000.
“I don’t know how they did this,” said Prusak. “I have no garage. Nothing has been done to this house of substantial improvement. I got a dishwasher.”
In response to complaints like Prusak ’ s, Cuyahoga County is extending the deadline to Sept. 14 to request an informal review of the latest property value appraisals.
County officials released a statement last week following a public meeting on the reappraisals in Tremont, attended by County Fiscal Officer Dennis Kennedy.
Prusak, who also attended the meeting, remains unclear on the reason for the increase. She isn’t aware of any new construction in her immediate neighborhood that would drive up values.
According to the county, state law protects residents from some of the increase in their tax bill when property values go up.
Prusak is retired and says if there’s a corresponding 3-fold tax increase on her home, it would force her to move out.
“I planned on living out my life here, the way my grandparents and parents did. I’m the last person of my blood that will live in this home. There is no more,” said Prusak.
