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Packwood resident says assessor overvalued home, plans appeal to board of equalization
Summary
Resident Rob Maricle told Lewis County commissioners his property’s assessed value jumped to $2,237,000 and said similar nearby properties were assessed much lower; he said he intends to pursue relief at the county board of equalization.
Rob Maricle of Packwood told the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners on March 25 that he believes his property assessment is incorrect and that he will pursue the matter with the county board of equalization.
Maricle said the assessor’s office lists his property’s market value as $2,237,000 and that two neighboring properties with similar lot size, house size and outbuildings were assessed ‘‘about $1,100,000 less’’; he said one of those neighboring properties sold in 2024 for $1,100,000. "The assessor thinks our home is a short term rental and thus commands a higher value," Maricle said, and he challenged the assessor to prove that his property was used as a short‑term rental in 2025.
When a commissioner asked Maricle how much he paid for the home and when, Maricle replied he bought it in 2019 for $575,000. He told commissioners the assessed value rose by about $700,000 year‑over‑year (about a 44% increase) and that his tax bill rose about 66% from the previous year. He said the property has been rented three times.
Maricle said he and at least 17 other people plan to seek relief from the county board of equalization. He framed the issue as a financial hardship and urged review of assessment methods.
Why this matters: property assessments determine tax bills; large year‑over‑year increases can prompt appeals and affect taxpayers’ monthly costs and decisions to seek relief through the county’s appeal procedures.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about purchase year and price; the transcript records no immediate action by the board on Maricle’s request during the meeting. Maricle said he intends to continue the appeal process.
