Commission accepts compromise, reduces Spartan Ash Family Fare assessment to $7.5M
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Summary
After a lengthy exchange over appraisal methods and large data corrections from a 2023 commercial revaluation, Dickinson commissioners set Spartan Ash’s assessed value at $7.5 million following a compromise offer from the taxpayer’s appraisal team.
The Dickinson City Commission voted Jan. 6 to lower the assessed value for the Spartan Ash Family Fare supermarket to $7,500,000 after hearing a third‑party MAI appraisal and discussion of Vanguard revaluation data.
Jim Dahl (Ryan LLC) presented a Newmark MAI appraisal dated to finance work showing market value near $5.63 million and offered compromise figures ultimately up to $7.5 million (described in discussion as roughly 25% above the appraisal). Assessor Dickinson said staff had reviewed the appraisal but noted it had been prepared for financing and cautioned that appraisal methods and objectives can differ from assessment methodology. Staff had recommended no change based on Vanguard’s objective revaluation and available data.
Commissioners focused discussion on large land allocation corrections that affected assessed land and improvement values after the commercial revaluation and on the practical difficulty of reconstructing historical market conditions. After debate and clarification of the taxpayer’s offers, a motion to change the assessed value to $7,500,000 passed with all commissioners voting aye.
The decision resolves the 2023 abatement on the commission’s agenda; the assessor’s office will update the roll and notify affected taxing authorities as appropriate.