DOUGLAS COUNTY- As Omaha’s housing market continues to run strong, Douglas County’s tax valuations are taking another big jump just to keep up. With the local housing tax base rising by almost $2 billion overall, the increase raises the likelihood of significantly higher property tax bills for local homeowners.

But Diane Battiato, Douglas County’s assessor/register of deeds, said she gets tired of the “finger always pointing at the Assessor’s Office” as tax bills increase. Battiato said her office is doing what’s required under state law to keep up with the housing market in Douglas County — and prices that have been escalating for years.

Overall, Douglas County’s tax value on existing homes increased almost 6% this year. That’s on top of a 7% increase last year and almost 6% the year before.

The increase this year alone will add $1.95 billion to the residential tax base — potentially translating to tens of millions of dollars in higher taxes paid by home and property owners.

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