Bannock County lowers land value for City Creek parcel after June 20 fire

The Bannock County Board of Equalization approved a one-year casualty reduction Thursday for parcel RPR3853031203 after a June 20 fire at City Creek, reducing the assessed land value by $148,001.97 to a new land value of $130,625.

Commissioner Huff, chairman of the Board of Equalization, opened the hearing by citing the board’s role under Idaho Code, saying the panel’s duty is to assure market value for assessment purposes ‘‘has been properly determined by the assessor.’’ The assessor presented the casualty calculation and attributed the reduction to the fire damage.

The assessor said the pre-damage land value under review was $278,008.22 and explained the casualty calculation: dividing the full value by 365 to get a per-day value, then canceling value for 194 days, resulting in a $148,001.97 reduction and a total land value of $130,625. The assessor added that the statute provides only a one-year exemption and that the value could be restored after a year.

Appellant Chris Pine described post-fire erosion and dozer tracks the fire department had made while fighting the blaze, saying the ground was ‘‘so unstable’’ and expressing concern about long-term remediation and habitat loss. The assessor and commissioners noted they would revisit the site next year if conditions warranted.

Commissioner Huff moved to accept the assessor’s recommended adjusted value for parcel RPR3853031203. The board approved the assessor’s recommendation by voice vote. The board said the decision letter will be mailed and that the appellant may appeal to the district court or to the State Board of Tax Appeals.

The board framed this relief as a short-term, statutory casualty adjustment. There was no additional monetary award or broader tax-relief program discussed; the decision applies to the specific parcel and the one-year window described by the assessor.