I-C-L-U settles tax assessment case

The Iowa Civil Liberties Union says it has reached a settlement in a federal lawsuit to stop mandatory home inspections by tax assessors. I-C-L-U Executive Director Ben Stone says the case involved Lester Schmidt and property he owned in Haverhill (HAY’-ver-hill) near Marshalltown. Schmidt refused to let the assessor into his home for an inspection and his assessment was increased by 100-percent. Stone says the penalty came fromMarshalltown assessor’s office which has since merged with the Marshall County assessor. Stone says the assessor has agreed to settle the case and and credit all homeowners who were penalized. He says this ruling doesn’t let taxpayers do anything illegal. Stone says the I-C-L-U hopes this case sends a message to other counties that mandatory assessments are not legal.