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Madison commission adjusts several residential assessments after appeals
Summary
At its March 16 meeting, the City of Madison commission heard multiple property tax appeals and approved changes to assessed values for several parcels after owners raised square-footage or condition concerns; the commission also approved the 2025 assessment roll for submission to county equalization.
Madison commissioners reviewed a series of property tax appeals on March 16 and approved revised assessed values for multiple parcels after owners and property managers raised concerns about square footage, unfinished basements and recent sales prices.
The hearing opened with staff explaining the county's 85% assessment rule and how assessors use exterior and interior inspections, square footage, location and comparable properties to set assessed values. Staff identified "Corey" in the assessment/equalization office as the source of the valuation data.
Several property owners spoke during the appeals. Mr. Holland told the commission he has lived in his home for 50 years and questioned a perceived difference between assessed and market values. Robert Leer asked staff to verify that about 500 square feet of his basement was incorrectly counted as finished, said courthouse records lacked square-foot documentation and said he had invited assessors to inspect his home. "I've invited them up to my house to verify that," Leer said.
Silus Krueger appealed two parcels, saying deferred maintenance had reduced their market value and proposing lower valuations. "There has been a lot of deferred maintenance on them," Krueger said, asking the commission to consider recent sale prices and conditions. His brother, Samuel Krueger, identified himself as the properties' manager and reiterated that two nearby sales had been "significantly below the assessed value," asking whether sales were considered in the assessment. Staff replied that sale price can differ from assessed value because assessors use comparables and neighborhood groupings and that assessors often re-inspect properties only after building permits or owner requests.
After discussion, the commission voted to set the assessed value for 111 North Liberty Avenue at $125,000 and directed that the county equalization office would have the next review. On 8:16 Northwest First Street, commissioners set the assessed value at $89,700 (the 2023 level); for 418 Cedar Court the commission set a total assessed value of $476,000 (building $435,000; land $40,900). For properties including 720 Northeast 6th Street (Conrad Kring), 117 South Egan Avenue (Jared Keane), and 913 North Josephine Avenue, the commission voted to leave the assessed values unchanged pending county review or further inspection.
Commissioners emphasized that the local action is advisory to the county; owners retain the right to present evidence or request on-site inspections at the county equalization hearing. The commission then approved the 2025 assessment roll for transmission to the county.
The commission's decisions were by voice vote; the motions carried. The county equalization office will have the opportunity to confirm or adjust the values at its review.
Next steps: property owners may request assessor inspections or present additional documentation at the county level, and staff said assessments may be revisited when building permits or interior access are available.
