Assessors report steady market: Olivia residential median ratio at 96.34% for Oct 2024–Sep 2025

City assessment staff presented the annual sales analysis used for valuations and said the market over the Oct. 2024–Sept. 2025 study period was ‘‘fairly quiet’’.

Jordan, identified in the meeting as the city appraiser, and county staff reported that there were 30 qualifying residential sales in the study year, with a median sales-to-assessment ratio of 96.34%. As the Department of Revenue requires jurisdictions to fall between 90% and 105% to be in compliance, staff said the result meant the city could hold current values rather than make a broad revaluation.

Presenters said the next assessment year (the following sales year) had only four to five qualifying sales so far and that residential sales activity typically rises in the summer months. On commercial properties, staff noted a small number of transactions in Olivia (including the Dirk's building, Joe Ames’s building and a mini-storage sale) and said properties with storage capability tended to show stronger sales prices county-wide.

The presentation also included discussion of renewable-energy leases and transmission projects in the county. Staff described large lease/solar and wind projects (identified by names used in the meeting such as Birch Cooley/White Birch) and explained how state rules treat projects of 1 megawatt or less for valuation and when production taxes apply. Staff noted some larger projects are subject to production tax and that easements and eminent-domain steps are underway in places.

Council asked questions and staff offered clarifications about how sales are qualified for the Department of Revenue (arm's-length criteria, exclusions such as related-party transfers or contract-for-deed cases) and about local commercial market pockets. No decisions were taken; the presentation was informational and staff will continue tracking sales for the next assessment cycle.