Fond du Lac reports average 54% assessment increase; open-book meetings, appeals schedule announced

The Fond du Lac City Council heard a presentation on April 23 about a citywide property revaluation and was told 15,000 assessment notices were mailed to property owners this week.

City Manager Mr. Moore told the council the goal of the revaluation is accuracy and uniformity. "the real point of a revaluation is to make sure that assessed values reflect market values. And at present, hours don't," Moore said. He said the revaluation brings assessed values back into compliance with Wisconsin Department of Revenue rules and that the process is intended to be revenue neutral for taxing jurisdictions.

The revaluation will raise assessed values citywide by an average of about 54%, the presentation said; residential properties rose on average about 67% and commercial properties about 32%. Moore noted that while assessed values change, the tax levy remains set by the taxing authorities and the revaluation shifts the tax rate rather than automatically increasing city tax revenue.

Assessor Les described how the assessor's office performed the market-update revaluation and explained the public process for questions and appeals. "we use the, information, that is in each individual property record card," Les said, adding that the office used two to three years of recent sales to build valuation models and opted against a full interior inspection program because recent access rates to homes had fallen below 50% in other jurisdictions.

Staff said they doubled assessor staffing for the open-book period to handle expected call and appointment volume. Key dates given to council: - Open-book (in-person) appointments: May 12–16 at the City-County Building (multiple assessors available by scheduled appointment). - Deadline for mailed follow-up letters to residents who attended open-book: no later than July 13. - Board of Review (formal appeal): August 13; residents must file an objection form with the city clerk at least 48 hours before the meeting or give notice of intent to appear and submit the objection during the first two hours of the board meeting.

Les summarized what residents should expect at open-book: a review of the property record card (PRC) showing age, condition, square footage, sketches, outbuildings and comparable sales used to support the assessment. He said assessors will accept documentation from property owners for review and will follow up in writing.

Council members asked about common public concerns. Mr. Zimmerman asked how assessors can value a house without interior access; Les replied that the office relies on property record cards, permits, and recent sales. Mr. Mullen and others urged council members to direct residents to the assessor's office for questions and offered to post links on social media. Moore demonstrated that the public can view the assessor's property information and a full report PDF from the city's website and encouraged council members to forward constituent inquiries to the assessor's office for direct handling.

The presentation emphasized process and timing: how to request in-person meetings, what evidence is useful at the board of review and that the burden of proof at the board of review lies with the property owner. After the board of review decision, the notice will explain further appeal options to the Department of Revenue or circuit court and the applicable deadlines.

The council did not take formal action on the revaluation at the meeting; staff asked council members to be prepared for increased constituent contacts when notices arrive.

Residents seeking details were directed to the city's assessor web page, where they can search by address or house number to view the property record card and comparable sales.