Here is a complete and updated guide to the Lake County Ohio Auditor, including the office’s leadership, services, property search tools, and contact information:
🧾 Lake County Auditor – Overview
The Lake County Auditor serves as the chief assessor, financial officer, and public records manager for Lake County, Ohio. This office ensures transparency, fairness, and accuracy in all fiscal and real estate matters within the county.
👨💼 Current Auditor
- Name: Christopher A. Galloway
- Appointed: April 1, 2019 (by Governor Mike DeWine)
- Background:
- Former Concord Township Trustee for 14 years
- Active in the Lake County Development Council, Farm Bureau, and multiple Chambers of Commerce
- Education: B.A. in History and Political Science from Ohio University
📌 Core Responsibilities
1. Property Valuation
- Appraises all 112,000+ parcels in the county
- Conducts triennial updates and sexennial reappraisals
- Ensures accurate and fair property tax calculations
2. Financial Oversight
- Manages ~$500M in county funds
- Oversees payroll for ~2,000 county employees
- Publishes financial statements and public budgets
- Participates in OhioCheckbook.gov for transparent spending
3. Tax Calculation & Distribution
- Calculates tax bills based on levies and assessed values
- Certifies tax lists for collection by the County Treasurer
- Distributes revenue to schools, cities, and services
4. Weights & Measures
- Ensures fair business practices by inspecting:
- Gas pumps
- Retail scales
- Barcode scanners
5. Licensing & Forms
- Issues:
- Dog licenses
- Vendor and cigarette licenses
- Registers mobile/manufactured homes
- Processes DTE conveyance forms for real estate transfers
🏘️ Lake County Property Search Tools
🔗 Online Property Search
🔍 Visit: https://auditor.lakecountyohio.gov
Search Options Include:
- Owner Name (e.g., “Smith, John”)
- Parcel Number (e.g., “15A123C000890”)
- Street Address
- Sales filters (e.g., recent transactions)
Each property profile includes:
- Owner & mailing address
- Assessed & market values
- Taxes due/paid
- Sales & transfer history
- Aerial images and PDF parcel card
🗺️ GIS Viewer (LakeNavigator)
🔍 Visit: https://www.lakecountyohio.gov/gis
Features:
- Interactive parcel maps
- Layers: zoning, flood zones, school districts
- Buffer & measurement tools
- Export: CSV, KML, GeoJSON
- Updated aerial imagery
💡 Taxpayer Services
🏡 Homestead Exemption
- Reduces taxes for:
- Seniors (65+)
- Disabled individuals
- Veterans
🌾 CAUV (Agricultural Tax Relief)
- Reduces tax liability for qualifying farmland
- Based on soil productivity rather than market value
🧾 Board of Revision (BOR)
- Handles valuation appeals
- Filing window: Jan 1 – Mar 31
- Evidence: Appraisals, photos, sales data
📞 Contact the Auditor
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 105 Main St., Suite C101, Painesville, OH 44077 |
| Phone | (440) 350‑2532 |
| auditor@lakecountyohio.gov | |
| Office Hrs | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Website | https://auditor.lakecountyohio.gov |
Would you like me to help look up a specific property or download tax records? Just send me the name, parcel number, or address!