BAY MINETTE, ALA. — Baldwin County property owners will begin receiving appraisal notices Thursday reflecting an 8 percent, or $12 million, reduction in values compared to last year, according to Baldwin County Revenue Commissioner Phil Nix.

Batches of 30,000 notices dated Sept. 4 will be mailed beginning today and continue until the 140,000-plus mailing is completed.

Property owners who disagree with the appraisals, based on values from Oct. 1, 2007, to Sept. 30, 2008, have 30 days from the notice date to file an appeal with the Baldwin County Board of Equalization.

Tax bills will be mailed later this month.

“The biggest swing in declining values was condominiums in south Baldwin,” Nix said Monday. “Lots of areas stayed the same value-wise. I expect a decrease in property values next year, too, but not as big.”

Results of BOE hearings continue to be processed and mailed with adjusted bills, and less than $1 million in taxes remain to be received.

Property owners who wish to appeal can download a form by going to co.baldwin.al.us, clicking revenue commission and following the prompts. The completed form can be emailed to the Baldwin County Revenue Commission.

Forms also are available at the Bay Minette office and satellite offices in Fairhope, Foley and Robertsdale. Nix said any written notice also will be accepted.

“There were some increases in property taxes set by the BOE this year,” Nix said. “Anyone who plans to appeal should consider that possibility.”