Gage County residents press board over sharp property revaluations; public valuation review set in two weeks

Gage County property owners raised concerns June 11 before the Gage County Board of Equalization about large increases in market valuations, and the board scheduled a public agenda item in two weeks to explain how valuations are set and how the protest process works.

The issue drew multiple public comments during the Board of Equalization meeting. Resident Steve Weese of 12911 West State Highway 41 told the board a parcel he said sits at the edge of Claytonia and contains a trailer went from a 2024 valuation of $127,000 to $333,605 this year. "It got raised to $333,605," Weese said, adding that he was told to contact "Derek at MIPS" and that the appeals process places the burden on taxpayers to prove a valuation is incorrect.

Why it matters: large valuation changes can prompt protests and concern about tax liability, and county officials said many residents misunderstand the relationship between assessed value and the taxes levied by separate taxing authorities.

Board and assessor staff responses were procedural. A board member referred Weese to the assessor's office for specifics and suggested the board as a whole should review valuation procedures. Patty, identified in the meeting as the county assessor, and other staff were said to have been working with residents to explain results. The board noted that the timelines for protests are determined by state rules and that residents should first consult the assessor's office; if unresolved, they may return to the board.

Another resident, Dan Ebeler of 250 Cottonwood Avenue in Claytonia, told the board his home's valuation "went up a little over 300%" and said he was uncertain whether recent insurance claims or storm damage had been considered when valuing his property.

Board members said the county will hold a dedicated agenda item in two weeks to discuss the valuation process, the meaning of valuations, how protest timelines work and to invite appraisal experts and the assessment contractor to explain their methods. "We'll wait for an agenda item in two weeks, discussion on valuations," a member said during the meeting when public commenters raised similar concerns. The board also encouraged residents to schedule informal hearings with assessor staff where possible before filing formal protests.

Clarity from staff: the board noted that, as of the meeting, about 39 protests had been filed out of roughly 16,000 parcels countywide; staff warned that protest counts and positions could change as the protest period continues. Board members said protests are a normal part of ensuring equity and urged residents to use the informal meeting process where appropriate.

The board closed public comment by repeating the offer to schedule an expanded public discussion and reminding residents that protest scheduling and informal hearings were available through the assessor's office.