Kenai Peninsula Borough board upholds assessor values in multiple May 22 appeals; one withdrawal

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Board of Equalization on May 22, 2025, heard seven property assessment appeals and either upheld the borough assessor's recommended values or recorded an appellant withdrawal. In roll-call votes, the board unanimously (5–0) approved the assessor's recommended value in each contested hearing where a formal motion was made. One appellant, Michael Adams, withdrew his appeal after reaching agreement with the assessing department.

Why it matters: decisions by the Board of Equalization determine the assessed values used for property tax calculations and can affect what owners pay and whether they can use recent sales or appraisals to alter assessments. The board said appellants generally failed to meet the legal standard for changing an assessment by January 1, the statutory assessment date.

Most of the day’s appeals were handled under the borough’s standardized procedures. Borough Assessor Adena Wilcox and staff explained the assessing department’s market models and supporting sales data for each parcel. Tom Johnson, an appraiser with the assessing department, summarized the department’s approach in the Homer market: “The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assessing Department uses a market adjusted cost approach to value residential structures for assessment purposes,” Johnson said, describing the department’s use of replacement cost less depreciation combined with a statistically tested market adjustment.

Board discussion and evidence: in several hearings board members pressed appellants and assessors for clarifying details such as whether recent sales or a settlement statement were provided, whether utilities or DEC-approved septic systems were present, and how access influenced land values in remote areas.

Notable exchanges included a lengthy appeal by Josiah Brooks over two parcels (17303410…