Walsh County commissioners keep agricultural land valuation unchanged for 2025

Walsh County commissioners voted Jan. 7 to keep the county'wide average agricultural valuation unchanged for the 2025 assessment year.

County tax staff said the state-calculated average valuation for Walsh County came in at $1,047.51 per acre, about 1.9% higher than last year's $1,027.60. County staff told commissioners state rules require the county's chosen valuation to be within the statutory tolerance of the state-calculated value year to year.

The assessment official presented options showing how different percentage changes would affect the county's tolerance level and recommended keeping the current valuation schedule. "My recommendation would be to stay the same for 02/2025," the county staff member said. Commissioners discussed the administrative burden of making small annual changes and noted a preference for staying near the middle of the tolerance band to avoid large adjustments in future years.

After discussion, a commissioner moved and a second was recorded on the record. At roll call the commissioners voted unanimously in favor of keeping the county's agricultural valuation at the current schedule. The clerk recorded the vote with all five commissioners voting yes.

County staff said they would proceed immediately so assessors' books can be prepared for distribution in early February.

The decision affects how the county compares to the state's calculated average valuation when setting local assessment schedules; the county did not change valuation schedules last year either.

Commissioners and staff said staying near the middle of the state tolerance range gives the county flexibility if the state's calculated value shifts in future years.