Board upholds county assessments on five Holiday/Circle K properties after cost and depreciation dispute

Pennington County’s Board of Equalization heard appeals April 29 from Holiday Station Stores (Circle K) representatives seeking lower assessed values on five convenience‑store parcels. County appraiser Trevor Abernathy recommended upholding the county’s values, citing Marshall & Swift cost data, on‑site inspections and limited comparable sales. Tax representative Jaden Randall of Delta Property Tax Advisors presented a taxpayer cost approach and an equity analysis showing lower store and car‑wash per‑square‑foot values.

Abernathy said the county’s improvement values (building, canopy, car wash and site work) were consistent with Marshall & Swift and recent comparable sales used as a reasonableness check: “All convenience stores were valued with cost approach to value,” he told the board. Randall countered that some county depreciation and quality assumptions overstated contributory building values and that sales often include going‑concern goodwill not attributable to building replacement value.

Commissioners questioned which components were included in the county per‑square‑foot numbers (canopy, tanks, car wash, equipment) and whether equipment was personal property. The board concluded the county’s approach was reasonable given limited sales data and on‑site inspections and voted to leave the assessed values unchanged for each of the five parcels.

The board recorded multiple individual 'no change' motions and votes; staff will maintain the county values and incorporate any additional documentation the taxpayer supplies for future reviews.