Anchorage officials say appraisal errors prompted corrected assessments; Assembly schedules work session

The Anchorage Assembly spent the opening hour of its Jan. 27 meeting focused on property assessments after municipal staff said they had identified systematic errors in some appraisals.

Becky McPherson, municipal manager, told the Assembly the mayor directed the Property Appraisal Division to review unusually large assessment increases; staff found a pattern in four neighborhoods and will issue corrected assessment notices for about 660 homes. McPherson emphasized that assessed value is not the same as a tax bill and reminded residents the municipal tax cap and state rules affect final taxes.

Chief Administrative Officer Mitch Falsy said appraisers discovered quality‑of‑construction grading that was too high in the affected neighborhoods and that corrected green cards should be mailed by the end of the week. He described the assessor’s hotline as an opportunity for dialogue; unresolved disputes can be appealed to the Board of Equalization, a neutral panel that hears appeals under state law.

Assemblymembers pressed staff about residents reporting increases of 20–40% and whether the hotline would substitute for a formal appeal. Falsy said the hotline is intended to resolve common issues, but if the division and resident disagree the appeal process remains the path to a neutral decision.

Assemblymember Myers and others urged robust public messaging and a work session; Chair Constant said a work session and additional public materials will be scheduled for Feb. 3 so affected residents can understand timelines and how the 30‑day state appeal window applies when new green cards are mailed.