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Homeowners and citizens urge simpler appeals and greater transparency in valuations
Summary
Several citizens testified they experienced steep assessment increases, difficulty obtaining comparable-sale information and hurdles in the appeals process; they urged statutory fixes to improve transparency and ease taxpayer access to supporting data.
Several citizens gave public comment during the committee's public-comment period, describing sharply higher assessments and difficulty navigating appeals.
Ken Johnston, a homeowner who said his case is now before the Wyoming Supreme Court, described large increases after purchase and said he was unable to persuade the county board that nearby sales demonstrated overvaluation. "I contacted my realtor, provided homes in my, local area that I used as comps for what should have been on my property, valuation. These, county board said, well, that that's not appropriate," Johnston said, adding that the assessor's comparables did not match market transactions he provided.
Ross Schriftman, a Casper resident, argued the system places a heavier burden on homeowners than on market evidence: "There are 2 problems with property taxes. First of all, I like systems that are based on the ability to pay. Your residential home...is where you live. Since I've been in Casper 4 years ago, my taxes for property have gone up 70%." He said he is collecting petition signatures seeking ballot changes to reduce property-tax burdens.
Pat Sweeney, a Casper resident and local official, urged lawmakers to give county boards more authority to resolve disputes at the local level and to consider the cascade of lost revenue to municipal and special districts when property values and exemptions change.
Why it matters: Several public commenters said that the current process favors assessors because SOCs and assessor analyses are not always easily obtained by taxpayers, appeals timelines are short and county boards often defer to assessor judgments. Multiple witnesses urged legislative review of appeals timelines, disclosure practices and the level of county-board authority.
Ending: Committee members thanked speakers and acknowledged the concerns as the committee continues work on oversight and potential statutory changes affecting assessments, appeals and property-tax relief.
