§ 68-2882. Noncompliance with legal requirement for level and uniformity of assessments - Notice to correct assessment - Filing of complaint by county - Publication of notice of order to correct assessment - Answer - Hearing - Appeal.

A.  In any case where the State Board of Equalization, in the equalization of property locally assessed, shall make its determination that the ratio of the assessed value of real property within the county to the fair cash value of said real property does not comply with the legal requirements for the level of assessment, or does not comply with the legal requirements for the uniformity of assessment then the State Board shall notify, by mail, the board of county commissioners of said county, and the county assessor, giving the ratio determined and the percentage valuation increase or decrease the county must achieve during the next assessment period or the action required for compliance with any applicable order for assessment uniformity.

B.  The district attorney, acting under direction of the board of county commissioners and for the entire taxpaying public of the county shall have twenty (20) days from date of such notice to the board of county commissioners and the county assessor in which to file with the Clerk of the Court of Tax Review a written complaint specifying grievances and the pertinent facts in relation thereto in ordinary and concise language and without repetition, and in such manner as to enable a person of common understanding to know what is intended.  The board of county commissioners shall cause a notice of the order for a valuation increase or decrease made by the State Board of Equalization to be published in at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation within the county at least one (1) time each week for two (2) consecutive weeks.  Such notice by publication shall constitute sufficient notice to any taxpayer within such county of the possible increase or decrease in the valuation of property owned by the taxpayer located within such county.  No individual valuation increase or decrease notice shall be required to be mailed or delivered to an affected taxpayer as a result of the implementation of an order for an increase or decrease in valuation issued by the State Board of Equalization.

C.  After the filing of a complaint as provided for in subsection B of this section the State Board of Equalization shall have fifteen (15) days within which to file an answer.  The Court of Tax Review shall set a date of hearing within sixty (60) days of the date of the notice which caused the filing of the complaint.  The Court of Tax Review shall be authorized and empowered to take evidence pertinent to said complaint, and for that purpose, is authorized to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, records and papers by subpoena, and to confirm, correct or adjust the order of the State Board of Equalization, as required by law.

D.  At the time of hearing upon a complaint filed pursuant to this section, the State Board of Equalization shall bear the burden of proof of supporting its action which is the subject matter of the complaint.

E.  Either the State Board of Equalization or the party filing a complaint pursuant to this section may appeal the decision of the Court of Tax Review by filing a notice of intent to appeal with the Clerk of the Court of Tax Review within ten (10) calendar days of the date the final decision is rendered.  Appeal shall be made to the Oklahoma Supreme Court which shall affirm the decision of the Court of Tax Review if supported by competent evidence.

Added by Laws 1988, c. 162, § 82, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.