Kenosha board approves assessor’s request to send Snap On appeal directly to circuit court

The Kenosha Board of Review voted to approve a request from the assessor’s office to waive further board review of a commercial assessment for the Snap On property and allow the property owner to appeal directly to circuit court. The board approved the waiver following an explanation from staff that a related 2024 case is already in litigation.

The assessor’s representative urged the waiver, saying the earlier case and the 2025 matter “can deal with both years at the same time,” and noted the 2024 litigation was a valid reason to forward the dispute to court. Todd Baron, representing Snap On, asked to speak and said he had not expected the waiver request and was prepared to present evidence on the changed valuation: “the value did change from 22,000,000 roughly to 34,000,000,” he told the board, adding he had brought extensive documentation.

After hearing the explanations and brief remarks from the company’s representative, a board member moved to approve the waiver; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor. Chair (transcript voice S1) called for vocal affirmations and the board recorded no opposition. The procedural decision means the circuit court will now address the assessment dispute rather than the Board of Review issuing a final local determination.

Why it matters: The waiver consolidates separate calendar-year disputes into court review, which the assessor’s office said will avoid duplicative proceedings. The owner’s representative signaled he intends to press valuation arguments in court, citing the large change in assessed value and the appraisal materials he supplied.

The board recorded the motion as carried and told parties staff would deliver the board’s procedural decision and next steps in writing.