Waukesha Board of Review upholds most assessments, reduces one multifamily valuation on Madera Street

Waukesha City’s Board of Review on July 22, 2025 heard multiple taxpayer objections to 2025 property assessments and upheld most of the assessor’s values, but reduced the assessment for one multifamily property at 1917 Madera Street to $972,000.

The hearing included repeated instructions from the board that “by law we must uphold the valuation given by the assessor unless you can prove by testimony and evidence that the assessor’s value is incorrect,” language the clerk read aloud at the start of the session. Property owners and their representatives presented evidence, and the assessor’s staff summarized the sales- and income‑based analyses used to set the values.

Why it matters: city assessments determine tax bills and influence owners’ options for refinancing or sale. The board’s decision preserves most of the assessor’s roll for 2025, but approval of a lower valuation for the Madera Street property shows the panel will change values when owners produce contemporaneous sales and credible condition evidence.

What the board decided

- 1917 Madera St.: The board found the assessor’s valuation should be changed. After reviewing owner-submitted sales comps of nearby Madera Street apartment trades, an appraisal and testimony about roof and water‑intrusion problems, the board voted to set the new assessment at land $134,900; improvements $837,100; total $972,000. The motion cited Wisconsin Statutes section 70.47(9)(a) (the standard motion language was read into the…