The function of the office of the Equalization Department is to annually assess all taxable real property in Pennington County for property tax purposes. This office is responsible for the accurate assessment and inventory of approximately 57,000 parcels of property with a value of over $20 billion. This property assessment is the tax base for local government funding for Pennington County, Rapid City and other towns in the county, local school districts, organized townships within the county, and various other tax districts such as fire, water, and road districts.

All property in South Dakota is assessed annually at its fair market value as defined in South Dakota codified law 10-6-104. The assessment date is November 1st. Property taxes applicable to this assessment will come due in the year following the assessment year.

The Director of Equalization does not determine the property tax. The local governments and taxing districts will determine the property tax based upon budgetary needs. The Director of Equalization is responsible for assessing all property at market value to ensure that the property tax burden is equally spread across all taxable property in the county.

 

The staff of the Pennington County Director of Equalization is very experienced and knowledgeable in property appraisal and assessment. Appraisal staff members are required to be certified as appraiser/assessors through the South Dakota Department of Revenue. This certification requires initial coursework and a test, plus annual continuing education and regular testing. Most staff members acquire education beyond the minimum required, several are licensed or certified appraisers, and many hold professional designations and memberships in professional organizations.

The staff in this office is available to answer questions regarding property assessments. Any member of the public is welcome to ask questions regarding their own property, or any other property in the county. If a property assessment, or property information, appears to be inaccurate, please inform this office. Our goal is accurate property information leading to accurate property assessments on all property.