Sedgwick County commissioners discuss sweeping property-tax and appraisal reforms for KAC platform

Sedgwick County commissioners spent a substantial portion of the Aug. 5 staff meeting outlining possible appraisal and property-tax reforms to propose to the Kansas Association of Counties.

Commissioner (speaker) introduced four categories of changes and read them into the record: “require each county appraiser to post and maintain data regarding property tax appeals and valuations within the county on a website,” broaden eligibility for county appraiser candidates beyond the current three-year mass-appraisal experience requirement, establish a county-level intermediary hearing panel to resolve tax appeals locally, and require that Board of Tax Appeals (BOTA) determinations be issued within one year of filing unless the parties agree otherwise.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said long delays in appeals and limited local resolution options have created backlogs and frustrated residents and county staff. Several speakers described individual appeals that have taken years to resolve.

Key proposals and staff/legal comments

- Public dashboard for appeals: The commissioner proposing the idea described a public dashboard or website that would display property-tax appeals and valuation data for residents. County legal staff said that creating a dashboard is legally feasible for Sedgwick County but will require IT, data work and resources.

- Broaden appraiser candidate pool (KSA 19-4-30 referenced): The proposal would amend state statute that currently limits county appraiser candidates to those with three or more years of mass-appraisal experience. Commissioners suggested opening the pool to candidates with other relevant credentials (for example, statistical or business backgrounds), but commissioners and counsel noted that the Property Valuation Division (PVD) currently sets some qualifications.

- Intermediary hearing panel / hearing officer panel: Commissioners discussed using a local hearing officer or panel as an extra step between informal appeals and BOTA. Tom Henry (assistant county counselor) explained that the intermediary option “would add a level to the appeals process for property valuation” and that current law permits local hearing officers but there are minimum qualification requirements, including IAAO training (International Association of Assessing Officers).

- BOTA timing: Commissioners proposed legislation requiring the Board of Tax Appeals to issue rulings within one year of appeal filing unless parties agree otherwise. A commissioner said they have appeals pending for three years.

- State takeover and renaming of the appraiser office: One speaker suggested moving county appraiser functions under the Kansas Department of Revenue/Property Valuation Division to increase consistency across counties. That speaker suggested renaming the office to reflect state-level control. County counsel and commissioners said such a change would be a major legislative request and would carry funding and policy implications.

Process, costs and next steps

Jess Weidner (county counselor) said the county can implement some items locally (for example, a public dashboard) but other proposals (broadening statutory qualifications or shifting functions to the state) would require legislative change and potentially state funding. Commissioner and staff comments repeatedly noted the need to estimate implementation costs before finalizing platform language.

Ending: Staff said they will draft a consolidated “property-tax appraisal reform” item that groups related proposals and circulate it to commissioners for review before sending it to KAC.