Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Property Tax Assessments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board of Equalization adjusts assessments for three rental properties after appeals by John Munger
Summary
The Harrisonburg Board of Equalization reviewed appeals from property owner John Munger and voted Thursday to maintain the appraisal for 330 North High Street, lower the assessment for 309 Chicago Avenue, and leave 332 Old South High Street unchanged after staff review of appraisals and income data.
The Harrisonburg Board of Equalization on Thursday considered appeals from John Munger, who said he purchased several small rental properties through Ham Holdings and asked the board to reconsider their assessed values.
Munger told the board the two properties he bought together were purchased for $550,000 and that he and his partners had since spent money on a new roof and interior repairs. “We bought those 2 properties for a purchase price of $550,000,” Munger said during his appearance.
Board members reviewed the city’s property cards, two appraisals Munger submitted and staff’s income-approach calculations. Assessor staff said one appraisal included an income approach and that the office was using a combination of sales-comparison and income approaches where appropriate. Staff noted state rules flag business-to-business sales, family sales and off‑MLS transactions for further review; the assessor’s office said it had addressed those flags in its recommendations.
After discussion, the board took three formal votes on the separate parcels Munger appealed: - 330 North High Street (map 035 K 10): Motion to maintain the assessor’s appraised value (no change). Motion seconded; voice vote—aye; chair voted aye. Outcome: maintained. (Assessor figure shown in the record: $488,600.) - 309 Chicago Avenue (map 35H1): Motion to change the assessed value based on the board’s review of condition and submitted appraisal. Motion seconded; voice vote—aye; chair voted aye. Outcome: assessment decreased to $300,000 (record reflects administrative decrease to $300,000 after appeal review). - 332 Old South High Street (map 25H8): Motion to leave the assessor’s current value unchanged. Motion seconded; voice vote—aye; chair voted aye. Outcome: no change (value on the record at the hearing: $306,600).
Board members and staff said they reconciled the income and sales approaches for the subject properties and made parcel‑level adjustments where appraisals or condition evidence supported changes. Munger said the properties were primarily student rentals and that upkeep needs had been substantial; the board referenced those details when discussing depreciation and expenses.
The board told Munger he would receive formal decisions by mail.
