Seven companies are protesting their 2020 tax valuations, according to Woods County Assessor Renetta Benson. She said three companies are still protesting their 2019 valuations in ongoing lawsuits against the county and the assessor. Meanwhile, their ad valorem tax payments are held in escrow until the protests are settled. While this impacts other entities such as the county, school districts are the hardest hit by the protests.

Wednesday, Benson presented her report to the Woods County Excise Board consisting of Chairman Bob Seivert, Chris Olson and Joe Shirley. The 2020 property valuations...