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Wichita resident urges Sedgwick County probe of appraisal office; commissioners agree to follow up
Summary
A Wichita property owner told the Sedgwick County Commission the county appraiser’s office is violating state law and asked the board to consider a locally controlled hearing panel; commissioners asked staff to set a meeting and prepare a statute memo.
Michael Andra, a Wichita resident and business owner, told the Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 15 that he believes the county appraiser’s office has violated state statutes related to real-property appraisal and the appeals process and urged the board to open a local investigation.
Andra read a cover letter into the record saying the appraiser’s office “brags about a 99% success rate” and that rate, he said, is “highly influenced by their abuse of the taxpayers” at appeal hearings. He asked the commission to consider establishing a county hearing panel under KSA 79-16-11 to provide local oversight of the appraiser and said he provided commissioners with a partial list of alleged violations and dates.
The request drew immediate interest from commissioners. Commissioner Jeff Howe said he has long advocated for a county hearing panel and urged a fresh discussion under the new commission. Commissioner Jeff Bluebaugh asked county manager Tom Stoltz to arrange a meeting with Andra and the county appraiser so the concerns can be discussed directly. County Manager Tom Stoltz said staff would set up the meeting and that the letter and supporting documents would be submitted to the public record. Justin Wagner, county counselor, agreed to draft a memo explaining the statute Andra cited.
Chairman Ryan Beatty moved to receive and file the public comment; the motion was seconded and approved on roll call. The board did not vote on any investigation or policy change during the meeting; commissioners directed staff to arrange the follow-up meeting and to prepare statutory guidance.
Why it matters: Property appraisal and appeal procedures directly affect taxpayers’ bills and perceptions of fairness. Commissioners signaled willingness to review the concerns locally and to clarify legal options for oversight.
Speakers quoted or referenced in this article spoke during the Jan. 15 Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners meeting and are recorded in the public transcript.
