The Franklin County Board of Equalization on Nov. 20 sustained the assessor’s valuation of $765,400 for the Thomas property at parcel 115180096 after an owner disputed the assessment.

The appellant said the county’s per‑square‑foot figure appeared inflated compared with nearby sales and online estimates, and argued that some comparables used by the assessor included finished shops and other features that made them poor matches. “My house is being assessed at 371 a square foot, which I'm just concerned that's a major inflation on what the actual market value of my house is,” the appellant said during the hearing.

The assessor’s representative told the board the apparent discrepancy arose from which area is included in the per‑square‑foot calculation: when a 384‑square‑foot bonus room is included the assessor’s calculation yields about $313 per square foot and not the higher figure quoted by the appellant. The assessor described using a cost approach calibrated to sales and said she relied on five nearby comparable sales that produced an overall sales ratio near 98 percent, which she said supports the assessed value. The assessor summarized that the sales ranged roughly between $306 and $329 per square foot and that the subject falls within that range.

Board members questioned sale dates and comparables, asked how time adjustments would be handled for sales outside the appraisal date and whether above‑ground pools are typically included (the assessor said above‑ground pools are treated as personal property and not included in assessed value). The assessor explained the state allows use of up to five years of sales if appropriately time‑adjusted to the appraisal date.

After reviewing the evidence on record, the board sustained the assessor’s value. The board said a written decision will be mailed to the owners within four weeks; the decision will include notice that the owners may appeal to the State Board of Tax Appeals.