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County appraiser warns of falling valuations for large assets, outlines 2025 appraisal‑roll estimate and tax‑rate constraints
Summary
Brown County’s appraisal official told commissioners that industrial shutdowns, changing equipment values and solar farm depreciation are reducing taxable values; the county is limited by rollback and homestead rules despite valuation shifts.
Brown County’s tax assessor and appraisal staff briefed commissioners on the 2025 appraisal‑roll estimates, warning that industrial slowdowns, idle equipment and solar‑farm depreciation are expected to lower taxable values in coming years.
The appraiser explained that when major industrial lines are idled or equipment is taken offline, market value for those assets drops because the market value for idle machinery differs from an operating line item. The assessor said a large solar farm’s value will decline significantly under the current 10‑year depreciation schedule and estimated the solar farm reduction at “about almost a little over 37,000,000” from last year to this year.
Staff noted that some decreases are partially offset by new property; they estimated about $42 million in new improvements but cautioned industrial personal property valuations can vary and the appraisal office must be conservative in its estimates. The assessor said appraisal values are governed by state rules and that sales and economic conditions, tariffs and interest rates are affecting local industrial values.
The assessor reviewed how property‑tax ceilings work: county tax revenue is constrained by the state cap (the court may levy the same revenue as last year plus a 3.5 percent increase, plus new property). Staff said if total values fall the county still can set a rate that yields the same revenue as last year (the so‑called constitutional rollback protections), then add 3.5 percent, plus new value. The assessor said the office will send notices for personal and industrial property and that appraisers will be conservative to avoid subsequent large adjustments.
Commissioners asked about exemptions and program changes, including wildlife‑management and daycare exemptions, and staff said those programs require documentation and state forms; the assessor noted that exemptions and legislative changes (homestead increases, personal‑property exemption changes under discussion at the state level) could shift tax burdens and require voter action or state legislation.
The appraisal official said county staff will continue to monitor industry activity and state policy developments and will provide updated figures as the appraisal roll process continues.
