Green Bay Board of Review upholds assessor valuation for 1621 Janus Avenue after homeowner appeal

The Green Bay Board of Review voted to accept the assessor’s valuation of $303,500 for the property at 1621 Janus Avenue after a hearing in which homeowner Mark Lafave argued his home was assessed at a higher ratio than the city average.

Mark Lafave, who identified himself and his address under oath, told the board his home was assessed “at over 79%” of value while, he said, the City of Green Bay average was about 68–70%. He asked the board to reduce the assessment to the city average, stating the assessment was “$45,000 above the average” and that his requested range would be “$247,000 to $262,000.”

The assessor’s office presented testimony and comparables. Christy Norton of the assessor’s office described the department’s approach as “a cost model supported by sales” and pointed to three comparable sales on Janice Avenue and adjacent Vernon Court with sale-to-assessed ratios of roughly 76.9% to 79.9%, which the office said supported the valuation assigned to the subject property.

A resident who spoke during the hearing described assessment work as having a normal variance and urged the board to determine whether the subject property was an outlier. Board members emphasized the hearing’s role in weighing evidence and noted that uniformity across similar properties, not a single percentage comparison to a city-wide average, is a central measure in assessing whether an individual valuation is appropriate.

After discussion, a board member moved to accept the assessor’s evaluation; the motion was seconded and the clerk called the roll. The board voted to accept the assessor’s valuation for parcel 6-1750. The clerk said documentation of the board’s decision would be sent to the homeowner by email and mail.

Officials explained the homeowner’s further appeal options: after receiving notice of assessment or notice of no change, an owner may either appeal to circuit court (timing tied to tax payment deadlines in January) or pay a $100 fee to pursue an appeal under Wisconsin Department of Revenue procedure 70.85; the clerk and assessor’s office directed the homeowner to the forms and guidance provided with the board’s notice.

The board also reviewed broader assessment work: the assessor summarized 2025 market activity, noting about $34.5 million in net new residential construction, major commercial projects including partial work on a US Bank building and the Nova Green Bay Apartments, and an overall sample ratio just over 70% based on roughly 2,850 residential sales reviewed for 2025.

The hearing record shows the board accepted the assessor’s evidence and did not find the homeowner’s percentage comparison sufficient to overturn the valuation. The board recessed and later adjourned the meeting.