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Waukesha Board of Review reduces assessment for Offerman multifamily at 823 Northeast Avenue to $425,000
Summary
After reviewing sales comparables and data discrepancies, the Board of Review found the Offermans presented sufficient evidence to lower the 2025 assessment for 823 Northeast Avenue to $425,000 (land $111,400; improvements $313,600).
The City of Waukesha Board of Review voted July 29 to lower the 2025 assessed value for the Offerman property at 823 Northeast Avenue to $425,000, finding the taxpayer presented sufficient evidence to rebut the presumption of correctness given to the assessor.
Joshua Konopaki, attorney for the property owners Richard and Jacqueline Offerman, told the board the six‑unit apartment building had been incorrectly listed as seven units in the assessor’s records and submitted multiple recent sales comparables to support a lower valuation. Konopaki's packet included a spreadsheet of local four‑to‑seven‑unit sales from the city assessor’s public data, photos of the subject property, and comparables such as a four‑unit condo complex that sold in November 2024 for $725,000 and other multi‑family sales he said were comparable in age, condition and unit mix.
Konopaki argued the subject property was older, in lesser condition, and had fewer modern amenities (only one unit with in‑unit laundry, no attached garages) than several comparables the assessor used. He presented two alternative valuation figures the taxpayers considered supportable: $425,000 (the taxpayer’s preferred figure) and $470,289.40 (an alternate). Konopaki asked the board to correct the unit count and accept the lower assessment.
City Assessor Laurie Swarden confirmed the assessor’s original roll value but acknowledged data discrepancies had been raised during the hearing (unit count and square footage). Swarden told the board she would update the assessment record with the additional information provided and confirmed that sales‑comparison and income considerations had been part of the assessor's review.
After deliberation the board concluded the taxpayer had met the burden of proof to rebut the presumption of correctness. The board voted to set the new assessment at land $111,400 and improvements $313,600 for a total of $425,000. The motion cited Wisconsin Statute 70.47(9)(a). The vote was recorded as Eric Dunst, Christy D'Angelo and Sarah Roth voting in favor. The assessor's office will update the roll and mail appeal information as required.
