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County appraiser says Crawford County’s preliminary equalization ratios at 85%; commissioners told to expect clarifications
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Summary
County Appraiser Zach Edwards told the Crawford County Board of Commissioners on March 17 that preliminary equalization ratios are about 85%, below the State’s 90% minimum; he said utilities such as Evergy are handled by the State and provided guidance on protest deadlines and nonprofit lists.
County Appraiser Zach Edwards told the Crawford County Board of Commissioners on March 17 that preliminary equalization ratios for the county were about 85%, below the State of Kansass 90% minimum for compliance.
Edwards presented a handout and explained that the State sets certain classifications (including utilities such as Evergy) and that assessed values are determined using use value and soil‑type adjustments for farmland. "I just received preliminary ratios last week and they are at 85%," Edwards said, adding that the number of property sales has declined even as sale prices have not dropped.
The presentation was prompted by Commissioner Carl Wood, who expressed constituent concerns about assessed and appraised values while the board considers the mill levy. Commissioner Tom Moody asked where the county stands for compliance; Edwards said the county needs to be at a minimum 90% but noted that Crawford County had achieved compliance last year and he believes the county is not at immediate risk of state revaluation enforcement.
Edwards also confirmed that Evergy is categorized as a utility and handled at the State level and that taxpayers wishing to file a payment‑under‑protest must do so within 30 days from the date the notice was mailed (Edwards estimated March 30 as the deadline for recent mailings). He agreed to provide the commissioners with additional lists and details they requested, including a list of nonprofit exemptions.
The board did not take any formal action on valuation policy at the March 17 meeting; commissioners asked for follow‑up material from the Appraisers office to clarify ratios, sample lists, and the breakdown the state uses to classify property types. The county clerk and appraiser will provide the requested documentation to the board for further consideration before any mill levy adjustments.
Next steps: the Appraiser will supply the requested lists and additional data so commissioners can revisit the countys compliance status and potential mill levy effects at a future meeting.