Wyandotte County appraiser explains how values are set and how homeowners can appeal

Matt Willard, Wyandotte County appraiser, and Janae Robbins, deputy county appraiser, outlined how the county sets property values, how those valuations relate to tax bills, and how homeowners can file valuation appeals during a public webinar. The presentation covered the appraisal methods the office uses, statutory deadlines that start when notices mail, and practical tips for preparing an appeal.

Why it matters: the appraiser’s office sets assessed values that are used with mill levies (set later by taxing jurisdictions) to calculate individual tax bills. Small changes in assessed values can materially change a homeowner’s tax share, and the county’s informal‑appeal process is the first and most direct way for owners to correct listing errors or submit evidence of damages or improvements.

Willard said the office annually reviews all property as of an effective date of Jan. 1 and is locally responsible for establishing values while following state guidance and oversight. "We're not creating value. We're just a mirror to the market," he said, summarizing the office’s role. He gave office capacity and scale: at full staffing the appraisal office has 25 employees responsible for roughly 67,351 parcels (about 62,323 residential parcels, including roughly 51,000 single‑family homes), about 5,028 commercial parcels and roughly 1,800…