Oklahoma County BOE hears seven valuation appeals; sets one home value at $96,700

The Oklahoma County Board of Equalization met in a special session March 26 to hear seven property valuation protests and set one value during the meeting.

Board Chair Mister Fretown opened the hearing and said the panel would hear testimony from property owners and the assessor, then issue written decisions on Friday. "I'll have a I'll entertain a motion to set the fair market value of BOE number 14 at 96,700," Fretown said during the session.

Why it matters: property valuations determine future taxable values and can affect homeowners' tax obligations over multiple years as taxable value moves toward market value.

The board heard extended testimony from the owner of BOE 12, who identified himself as representing Ontario Trust and said two recent sales in his gated Ashford Hills neighborhood had driven up local market values despite differences in size and remodeling status. He said his house, on a 1-acre lot with 5,402 square feet, required updating and that comparable sales were smaller and remodeled; he told the board he could not realistically sell at the assessor's figure of $1,535,500 and that brokers estimated sale prices in the $1.25–1.4 million range if remodeled. "I can't sell it for a million $5.30. I'd love to sell it for a million $5.30," he said.

Assessor staff responded on multiple appeals with the sales and statistical measures used to derive values. For several rental properties, owners argued for valuation based on current rents or investor-market assumptions (for example, BOE 13’s owner asked that value be set at $100,000 based on $1,000 monthly rent; the assessor had the parcel at $193,000). The assessor reported use of six comparable sales where available, and expanded search radii for atypical lot or building sizes.

Action taken: the board voted during the meeting to set the fair market value for BOE item 14 (3131 Epic Drive) at $96,700 after the assessor recommended that mean-based figure; a motion and a second were recorded and the board voted in favor. The board noted that BOE 14 will not need to appear again at the Friday decision hearing.

Deferred items: the board closed hearings on BOE items 12, 13, 15, 16, 17 and 18 but did not issue final determinations during this session; those appeals are scheduled for the board’s decision day on Friday and notice will be sent by mail. The chair reiterated the process and timelines for appeals and decisions.

Details from hearings (selected): - BOE 12 (subject property in Ashford Hills): assessor valuation stated as $1,535,500; owner requested $1,000,250. Owner cited two 2024 sales in the gated subdivision as the reason for higher county values but argued adjustments for size and remodels were insufficient; owner said square footage is 5,402 and lot is about 1 acre. - BOE 13 (14438 Norton Lane): assessor value listed at $193,000; owner requested $100,000 based on rental income of $1,000 per month and investor-market assumptions. - BOE 14 (3131 Epic Drive): assessor initially listed at $105,500 then lowered to $100,980; assessor recommended $96,700 using a mean of available sales; board moved, seconded and voted to set the value at $96,700. - BOE 15 (2612 North Harbor): owner requested $57,500; assessor maintained $130,500 based on expanded search for comparables and medians/means above current value. - BOE 16 (2700 North Harbor): owner requested $95,000; assessor stated current value $177,000 with median/mean above that figure. - BOE 17 (2702 North Harbor): owner requested $100,000; assessor current value $147,000 with median 151,700 and mean 150,055. - BOE 18 (301806 Effie Drive): owner requested $50,000; assessor current value $109,000 and reported median and mean above current value.

Board process and next steps: the board heard testimony, allowed assessor rebuttal and said written determinations will be issued after the review on Friday; appellants will be notified by mail. Several owners raised concerns about taxable value increases and how market value adjustments affect taxable value growth over time.

A closing vote recorded the motion on BOE 14 as passed; the board confirmed all other matters remain under advisement pending the formal decision day.