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Washington County reviews candidates for Property Values Appeals Board; final approval scheduled Oct. 7
Summary
At the Sept. 16 work session, county staff presented five candidates for the Property Values Appeals Board and reviewed statutory changes and meeting timelines; commissioners asked about members' technical skills. Formal approval is scheduled for the Oct. 7 regular session.
At its Sept. 16 work session, the Washington County Board of Commissioners reviewed five candidates for the Property Values Appeals Board and heard staff explain the board's role and timeline. Formal approval of the slate is scheduled for the board's Oct. 7 regular session.
The Property Values Appeals Board, formerly the property tax appeals board, reviews appeals from property owners who contest assessed values. Joe Nelson, director of Assessment, Taxation, Records and Elections, told commissioners that recent legislative changes renamed and adjusted the board and extended member terms: “I’d like to remind you of the new legislation … House Bill 2031 … and … House Bill 2237 increased the board member terms from 1 year to 2 years,” Nelson said.
Nelson said the board serves as a peer-review body and noted recent workload figures: the county received about 160 appeals last year, down sharply from a historic high of about 6,200 when earlier systems were in place. He described eligibility requirements and recruitment: board members must be Washington County residents who do not work for the county or any other taxing district. The recruitment window ran March 4 through April 15, 2025.
The five candidates presented are the three returning members—Anthony Mills (District 1; serving since Feb. 2012), Eric Squires (District 1; since Feb. 2023) and Beverly Mosier (District 2; since Feb. 2024)—and two new nominees, Spencer Hatch (District 2) and Jody Kellogg (District 2). Nelson said the board typically meets during a short, statutory window: appeals are filed by the end of the calendar year and hearings generally run from the first Monday in February through April 15.
Commissioners asked what technical skills the board should have. Nelson and Fred Ramstead, division manager for records and cryptography, said the position requires the ability to evaluate evidence and listen to petitioners’ technical or factual arguments; they emphasized communication and deliberation skills rather than professional appraisal credentials.
No vote was taken at the work session. Staff said they will return during the Oct. 7 regular business meeting to seek formal approval of the appointments.
