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Sedgwick County appraiser outlines how mass valuations, inspections and appeals work
Summary
Deanna Aspon, Sedgwick County appraiser, described mass appraisal methods, the annual January 1 valuation date, how exterior inspections and statistical models are used for about 239,000 parcels, and step-by-step options for homeowners who disagree with their notices.
Deanna Aspon, Sedgwick County Appraiser, told a public forum that mass appraisal and individual fee appraisals rely on the same professional approaches — sales-comparable, cost and income methods — but serve different purposes: mass appraisal produces values for thousands of parcels on a single effective date (January 1), while fee appraisals focus on a single property for a specific client.
Aspon said mass appraisals rely primarily on exterior inspections, public records and statistical models rather than routine interior inspections. "We value thousands of properties — we actually have over 239,000 parcels in Sedgwick County right now that we're responsible for valuing," she said, adding that interior inspections are done only when new construction occurs or at the owner’s request for evidence of deferred maintenance.
She described the state oversight framework that governs the office. Appraisals are constrained by the Kansas Constitution, state statute and regulations from the Property Valuation Division (PVD). The office runs annual statistical tests — including a sales-ratio study, coefficient of dispersion and price-related differential — and must remain within the state’s 90–110% sales-ratio range or face corrective action.
On appeals, Aspon outlined two main routes: an informal appeal with the appraiser’s office in the spring after value notices are mailed (usually around March 1) and a payment-under-protest (PUP) filed with the treasurer at tax-payment time. "If you miss the spring window, you can still file a PUP when you pay your first or second half," she said, explaining that a successful PUP schedules an informal review and that further appeals can be taken to the state Board of Tax Appeals or court.
Aspon recommended that property owners bring documentation that the appraiser’s data is incorrect — for example, photos showing deferred maintenance — and noted there is no fee for a field inspection. She also said residents receive a written result after an informal appeal that explains why a value was or was not adjusted and includes instructions for the next level of appeal.
The presentation ended with Aspon urging residents to contact the appraiser’s office if they have questions or to request a field check; she provided office contact details on the handout.
