Commissioners reserve June 16–July 25 for property protest hearings, aim to start early

Scotts Bluff County commissioners reserved the period from June 16 through July 25 to hear property valuation protests, with staff and the assessor’s office directed to schedule hearings beginning the week of June 16 where possible.

County Assessor Robert Simpson and County Clerk Kelly Seides briefed the board on logistical options for protest hearings. Seides explained statutory notice deadlines and described the county’s plan to send change-of-evaluation notices by bulk mail in cooperation with a vendor; she said notices must be in MIPS by May 23 for a bulk mailing. Simpson said the state statute requires that the board hear half of the protests on or before July 25, and he urged the board to begin hearings in mid‑June to spread workload and avoid back-to-back 12‑hour hearing days.

Commissioners discussed rotating panel members so three commissioners could serve on any hearing day and avoid fatigue from long sessions. Department staff said they would attempt to resolve many protests administratively; the board asked staff to propose a schedule that prioritizes evening sessions in June where feasible and reserves July dates only as needed.

A motion to schedule hearings between June 16 and July 25 (including July 25 as a final deadline) passed 5–0. The clerk and assessor will coordinate advertisements, postcards to property owners and a proposed hearing calendar and report back to the board.

Why it matters: Statutory deadlines control when property owners may file protests and when the board must hear them; scheduling earlier hearings can reduce lengthy late‑July sessions and reduce fatigue for hearing panels and staff.

Speakers included Robert Simpson (Assessor), Kelly Seides (County Clerk), and commissioners Harris, Knapper, Meyer, Reisig and Blue.