In a recent government meeting, a couple from Sandoval County presented a serious complaint against the county assessor's office, alleging multiple ethical violations and misuse of county resources. The couple claims that officials within the office created false property valuations and provided misleading information during a valuation protest hearing, infringing upon their constitutional rights.

The couple's complaint outlines a sequence of events beginning with an inflated valuation of their property, which included their barn being assessed as part of their home, resulting in an overvaluation of more than $200,000. Despite their requests for clarification, they allege that the assessor's office refused to provide details, labeling their inquiries as unreasonable. Instead, they received a second valuation that still inflated their property’s worth, followed by a third version presented during the hearing, which they had never seen prior.

The couple emphasized that these actions constituted violations of their right to discovery and due process, as well as ethical standards outlined in the Sandoval County ethics ordinance. They argued that the use of county-owned resources to fabricate these valuations not only undermined their case but also set a troubling precedent for public trust in county governance.

In their appeal, they urged county officials to hold the responsible individuals accountable, asserting that failure to do so would signal a tolerance for unethical behavior within the county. They called for sanctions that would reinforce the necessity for transparency and adherence to legal standards in property valuations, aiming to protect the rights of all residents in Sandoval County.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for further questions, highlighting the couple's commitment to ensuring fair treatment and accountability within the county's administrative processes.