Happy fall Mohave County, the weather is amazing, Thanksgiving is soon here and Christmas and New Years just around the corner. Where has the time gone? It seems it was just yesterday that I was re-elected as your County Assessor.
I wanted to begin by reminding everyone that the Assessor Programs application window starts January 2, 2026. We have programs for Widows, Widowers, 100% Disabled, Disabled Veteran and now In-Service Disabled Veterans.
Each of the above programs are open for applications from January 2nd until February 28, 2026. Applicants need to apply in person at one of the three Assessor offices listed below.
Exemptions can save you a considerable amount of money and are easy to apply for. There are general qualifications to obtain an exemption; applicants must be a current resident of Arizona. ARS 42-11111 provides SAVINGS off the assessed value of all residents that qualify. This can result in an estimated annual tax savings of $150-$500. The deadline for applying for exemptions is February 28, 2026.
Another program we have in the Assessor’s office is the Senior Property Valuation Protection Program. We call this the “Senior Freeze”. This program will freeze your Limited Property Value for as long as you live at your home. Re-Qualification is necessary every 3 years. Income and Net Assessed value is taken into consideration to qualify. The application window for the Senior Freeze is January 2 to September 1, 2026.
Then finally we have our award-winning Assessors Address Protection Program (AAPP). This program will help secure your home ownership, avoiding deed fraud. Our AAPP program requires you to verify your identity through a notary using proper Identification. Once your identity is verified we will mark your account in the AAPP program and call you if ANY transfer comes into our office for your parcel. This pro-active approach secures your parcel from transfer, preventing deed fraud. You can apply to the AAPP program throughout the entire year. There is a one-time $50 charge to be in the AAPP program.
I am proud to announce our AAPP program has been chosen to be included in a bill that will be presented this next legislative season to hopefully become a law. I was honored to be a part of the coalition addressing deed fraud in the state of Arizona. This bipartisan coalition found the AAPP program to be the most effective approach to tackle deed fraud. Other actions will be in this bill as well to help Arizona property owners in securing their ownership. I am humbled the coalition chose Mohave’s program and thrilled if passed the rest of Arizona will be offering this program to their property owners.
Speaking of bills, I have been elected as the new Arizona Association of County Officers (AACO) President. AACO is our lobbyist organization that helps us get our bills passed by the legislature. AACO represents Assessors, Recorders, Treasurers, County Attorneys, County School Superintendents, Sheriffs, Clerks of the Court and Constables. I am thrilled to lead this great group of elected officials and take pride in doing all I can to advance some very important bills this season. For my next County Corner I will brief you on some of the bills we will be working on, hoping some of you will help me advocate for them as well.
Please have a blessed Holiday Season, stay healthy and safe.
Jeanne Kentch, Mohave County Assessor
