The Clallam County Board of Equalization swore in members for the 2025 assessment year, unanimously elected Gordon Gibbs as chair and confirmed a vice chair, and reviewed the countyassessorofficetraining on property assessment practices, with members flagging short‑term rentals and large industrial mills as recurring issues.

Board members said the training covered common valuation challenges, including unusual land uses and the growing number of short‑term rentals. "Short term rentals was a big topic statewide, but we've seen so much of it here on the peninsula," a board member said, adding properties around Forks and Lake Sutherland were examples where rental income is affecting market value.

The session also touched on industrial property appeals. Board members recalled multiple high‑value appeals for former pulp and sawmills and noted that many of those cases are referred to the state for advisory assessments. One board member said a petition from Interfor had already been received for the upcoming year and that an appeal may be in process.

The board completed the brief agenda and scheduled follow‑up meetings the next two days at 9 a.m.

Why it matters: Valuation practices discussed by the Board of Equalization can affect taxable assessed values for residential, short‑term rental, and industrial properties across Clallam County. Short‑term rentals can materially change income and valuation metrics, and high‑value industrial appeals often trigger state involvement and can shift large amounts of taxable value between assessment years.

Discussion details: Board members described several recurring topics from the assessor training:
- Short‑term rentals: Members said some Lake Sutherland properties were "literally making tens of thousands of dollars a month," and that an influx of short‑term rentals in Forks and elsewhere complicates valuations. A member noted a local 650‑unit proposal at Square Marina (by the same developer of Seabrook) could further increase the proportion of short‑term rental units in the county.

- Industrial property appeals: Members recalled past appeals of large mills with "anywhere from 30 to almost a 100,000,000 in appraised value" that often proceed to state advisory assessments; board members said the countyassessoroffice's local figures frequently track the state's advisory numbers closely. The company Interfor was cited as having filed a petition for the coming assessment year.

Administrative actions: The board carried out the ceremonial oath for the 2025 assessment year, elected Gordon Gibbs as chair (nomination recorded and approved), and confirmed a vice chair by voice vote. There were no other formal policy decisions or directives recorded at the meeting.

What the board did not decide: The meeting did not adopt new valuation rules, issue directives to require specific rental income documentation, or take formal positions on the cited development proposals or industrial appeals. Several members said some matters "get out of our realm of expertise" at the local level when state advisory assessments are involved.

The board adjourned and will reconvene for follow‑up meetings the next two days at 9 a.m.