Whites question waterfront comparables and timing; assessor says model and time‑adjustments govern 2025 value

Justin and Sarah White challenged their assessed value for a river‑influenced property in Pasco during petition BE2025‑54. The Whites said the home’s marketability is lower than the current assessed value of $1,212,900 and that local realtors had said they would not list the property above about $1.0 million. They asked why a high‑priced nearby sale (their next‑door neighbor) could not be considered nearer to their value.

Clark Dickinson, presenting the assessor’s analysis, said the subject (4620 River Boulevard) includes a main residence and an auxiliary dwelling unit (totaling ~4,428 sq. ft.) on about 1.01 acres and that the assessor uses neighborhood and waterfront/river‑influenced cells when calibrating values. Dickinson told the board that sales need to be time‑adjusted to the statutory appraisal date (Jan. 1, 2025) and that sales up to five years prior may be used if appropriately adjusted; sales after the appraisal date are used for later valuation cycles.

The Whites said they were told by county staff they could only use 2024 sales when preparing their packet, which limited their ability to find close waterfront comparables. The board and assessor clarified that sales up to five years back can be considered if time‑adjusted and that realtor listing estimates have less probative value than closed, time‑adjusted sales. The hearing ended without an immediate decision; the board said it will provide a written ruling in about four weeks.