Big Jump in Property Taxes due to Fire Protection Tax

[Reid Hanley]

I just received my Real Estate Property Tax for 2019 and found that it jumped almost 60% from the previous year. I was told by the Tax Assessor office that the big increase was due to the fact that all of the mobile homes in the park were each being assessed a Fire Protection Tax of approx $143. In yeas past the Tax Office only recognized the single family home on the property and therefore the Fire Protection portion was only $143. At this time I own 20 of the 21 units in the park. I have recently sold one of the POHs to the tenant and have no intention of paying tax to protect that unit from any peril.

Has anyone dealt with this situation in the past? Any input on fighting back on this assessment is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.