Albany County Board of Equalization denies SMBC Real Estate valuation appeal, upholds assessor

The Albany County Board of Commissioners sitting as the county Board of Equalization on Oct. 1, 2025 upheld the Albany County assessor's 2025 valuation for SMBC Real Estate Holdings Company, LLC and denied the company's petition to amend the valuation for parcel ID 16733323201600 at 756 North Third Street, docket number 2025-0001.

Hearing examiner Josh Mercile read a written decision and told commissioners that "there is a presumption that the assessor is acting in accordance with state law, that the petitioners exhibits and argument was insufficient to overcome that presumption." Mercile said the case turned on a difference of opinion over value and, under Wyoming law, that difference was not enough to overturn the assessor's valuation. "Therefore, we have denied the petitioner's petition to amend the assessor's valuation for the property in this case," he said.

Commissioner Dan Hoff moved to adopt the Board of Equalization order on findings of fact and conclusions of law upholding the assessor's determination; a second was recorded but not identified by name on the record. Commissioners Terry Jones (chair), Pete Gosar and Dan Hoff each indicated their agreement when asked by the hearing examiner. The motion passed by voice vote; the commissioners then signed the decision letter on the record.

Representatives from the Albany County assessor's office who appeared in the hearing included Matt Ayers and Chelsea Matthews; counsel for the assessor's office (Jennifer) also participated. The petitioner's representatives attempted to appear remotely via Zoom; the record shows remote connection attempts and discussion of making a telephonic connection, but no in-room presence for the petitioner. Mercile noted that parties have 30 days from Oct. 1, 2025 to file a notice of intent to appeal if they wish to challenge the Board's decision.

The meeting opened as a special session of the commissioners at 3:30 p.m., with the body convening specifically to render a final decision and order on the petition for appeal by SMBC Real Estate Holdings Company, LLC of the Albany County assessor's 2025 valuation for the listed parcel. No additional testimony or new evidence was recorded on the public record during the session; the hearing examiner indicated he had prepared and circulated a written decision letter for the commissioners' consideration prior to the vote.

With the vote recorded and the decision executed, the Board of Equalization concluded its business and the commissioners adjourned.