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Waukesha Board of Review upholds assessor valuations in multiple property appeals
Summary
At its June 24 Board of Review meeting, the Waukesha City panel reviewed a series of property assessment objections and, after hearing testimony and assessor presentations, sustained the assessor's valuations in multiple cases. Several owners withdrew or had objections dismissed; one objection was dismissed for non-appearance.
Waukesha's Board of Review on June 24 heard objections from property owners contesting 2025 assessments and, after testimony from owners and presentations by assessor staff, sustained the assessor's valuations in multiple cases.
The board opened each hearing with a reminder that by law it must uphold the assessor's valuation unless the taxpayer proves a different, specific value. Property owners and city assessor staff offered evidence and cross-examination before the board deliberated and announced decisions.
Nut graf: The panel reviewed a series of residential and commercial appeals. In each contested case where the board voted, the board concluded the assessor presented sufficient evidence (sales comparisons and, where applicable, income-and-expense analyses) to support the recorded assessments and sustained those valuations. A small number of objections were withdrawn by owners or dismissed for procedural reasons.
More detail: The meeting covered more than a dozen individual property cases. Owners who presented testimony included Carrie L. Chapman (1605 White Rock Ave.), Robert DuBado (2315 River Hill Ct.), Harold Maddox (multiple properties on Grandview and Kelps Court), Barton Bender (Bender Trust, 2001 Brunner Ct.), Carrie Johnson (3023 Cone View Ln.), James Hall (1511 David Ct., 1229 Wisteria Ln.), and Alan Hillsman (multiple downtown commercial properties including 210 E. North St. and 272 W. Main St.). Assessor staff (identified in the record as Joe and Lori) presented comparable-sales analyses, condition adjustments and, for commercial parcels, income-and-expense approaches. Board members present at roll call were Leonard Miller, Eric Dunstier, Christine D'Angelo and Sarah Roth; the board recorded roll-call votes for the formal motions.
Quotes and highlights: Property owner Alan Hillsman argued for lower valuations on downtown commercial parcels using an income approach: "That space was vacant for 2 and a half years," he said of one portion of 210 E. North St., adding that lack of parking and limited egress made parts of the building effectively unrentable. The assessor's presentation acknowledged such nuances but said comparable sales and a reconciled income analysis supported the assessor's figures.
Ending: After the board's rulings, clerical staff advised owners of their appeal rights to circuit court and options to request a city property inspector visit before next year's assessments. Several owners said they will consider an independent appraisal or the court appeal process.
Votes at a glance (cases addressed at the hearing): - 1605 White Rock Ave. (tax key 1003240): assessment $291,700; board sustained assessor (roll-call: Miller Aye; Dunstier Aye; D'Angelo Aye; Roth Aye). - 2315 River Hill Ct. (tax key 1377259): assessment $475,200; board sustained assessor (Miller Aye; Dunstier Aye; D'Angelo Aye; Roth Aye). - 457 N. Grandview Blvd. (tax key 0996265): assessment $442,200 (as listed in hearing materials); board sustained assessor (Miller Aye; Dunstier Aye; D'Angelo Aye; Roth Aye). - 2027 Kelps Drive (tax key 1310084): owner withdrew objection at the hearing; no board decision rendered on valuation. - 113 Kelps Ct. West (tax key 1310039): assessment $455,900; board sustained assessor (Miller Aye; Dunstier Aye; D'Angelo Aye; Roth Aye). - 3023 Cone View Ln. (tax key 1315307): assessment $573,500; board sustained assessor (Miller Aye; Dunstier Aye; D'Angelo Aye; Roth Aye). - Bender Trust / 2001 Bruner Ct. (tax key 1341229): assessment $494,800; board sustained assessor (Miller Aye; Dunstier Aye; D'Angelo Aye; Roth Aye). - Landmark Trust / 1920 Madera Dr. (tax key 1356005): agent did not appear by telephone; board dismissed the objection for lack of appearance (procedural dismissal; no appeal letter to be issued per clerk's direction). - Hallmark Estates / 1511 David Ct. (tax key 1358038): assessment $464,600; board sustained assessor (Miller Aye; Dunstier Aye; D'Angelo Aye; Roth Aye). - Wisteria Properties / 1229 Wisteria Ln. (tax key 1358055): owner withdrew objection during the hearing; no further action taken. - ADH Properties / 210 E. North St. (tax key 1305455): assessment $1,196,900; board sustained assessor (Miller Aye; Dunstier Aye; D'Angelo Aye; Roth Aye). - Historic Prairieville / 272 W. Main St., Unit 1 (tax key 13441001): assessment $1,285,900 (total parcel split shown in assessor materials); board sustained assessor (Miller Aye; Dunstier Aye; D'Angelo Aye; Roth Aye).
Several other objections on the docket were withdrawn by property owners at the hearing and recorded as withdrawn by the clerk. Owners were repeatedly told they may request a city inspection for the next assessment year or pursue a circuit court appeal.
Source material: Proceedings of the Waukesha City Board of Review hearing, June 24, 2025 (public transcript).
