County appraiser reports substantial compliance for 2024 but flags commercial valuation work and staffing losses

Mark Clark, Sedgwick County appraiser, briefed the commission on Oct. 23 on the office’s 2024 compliance status, staffing losses and market dynamics that will affect valuations for the coming year. Clark said the office met substantial compliance for 2024 with an overall score of 90.8 and a residential median ratio within the customary band, but commercial median ratios require targeted adjustments.

Clark presented data showing substantial staff turnover and retirements — quantified as roughly 366.24 years of experience lost since Jan. 1, 2020, with projected further retirements — and an 11.43% vacancy rate in the appraiser’s office. Clark said the office will run full recalibrations of land, cost, market and income models for 2025 and continue migrating commercial valuation work into Orion. "The appraiser's office is in substantial compliance for 2024 with an overall score of 90.8," Clark said. He also outlined the impacts of higher interest rates on sales and building permits and noted that the median sales price for single‑family homes was $229,000 as of September 2024.

Commissioners asked about penalties or interventions from the state Property Valuation Division. Clark said PVD’s role is to monitor ratios and that the county must make adjustments when needed; he said the county improved the COD metric and will make further adjustments to maintain compliance. Commissioners also used the briefing to discuss how assessed‑value growth has affected county revenues and budget decisions.