(NOTE: This material taken from the County Commissioner’s Handbook)

     Chapter 11, article 3, section 24, requires the County Commission to annually, not later than the first day of February, meet for the purpose of reviewing and equalizing the assessments made by the assessor. The Commission may not adjourn for more than three days at a time until it has completed the duties required by this section, and must not remain in session for more than twenty-eight days and may not adjourn…before the fifteenth day of February. At these meetings taxpayers may appeal the value assessed to their property.
     At the first meeting, the assessor must submit the property books for the current year, which shall be complete in every particular, except that the levies shall not be extended. The assessor and his assistants are required to attend the meetings and render every assistance possible in connection with the value of property assessed by them.
     The Commission is required to examine and review the property books, and to add on the books the names of persons, the value of personal property and the description and value of real estate liable to assessment which have been omitted by the assessor. The Commission is directed to correct all errors in the names of persons, in the description and valuation of property, and they shall cause to be done whatever else may be necessary to make the valuation comply with the provisions of law.
     The Commission may not consider or review any question of classification or taxability. If the Commission determines that any property or interest is assessed at more or less than its true and actual value, it must fix it at the true and actual value. In the event an assessment is increased, the Commission is required to give the property owner at least five days notice, in writing, and signed by the President of the Commission, of the intention to make the increase. Service upon the property owner shall be sufficient, or upon his agent or attorney in person, or if sent by registered mail to such property owner, his agent, or attorney, at the last known residence. If he is not found and has no known residence, then notice must be given by publication thereof as a Class I legal advertisement in compliance with the provisions of chapter 59, article 3, of the code.
     If persons fail to apply for relief at this meeting, they shall have waived their right to ask for correction in their assessment list for the current year, and shall not thereafter be permitted to question the correctness of their list as finally fixed by the County Commission, except on appeal to the circuit court. After the County Commission has completed the review and equalization of the property books, a majority of the Commission must sign a statement that it is the completed assessment of the county for the year and the property books must be delivered to the assessor and the levies extended as provided by law.