Assessor: Local home sales rise; 11 new homes, office project and three solar farms under way

Assessor John Killeen reported to the Chemung Township board that sales volume picked up in 2024 and sale prices continue to rise for average properties, though prices for larger homes ($300,000 and up) are leveling off. He told trustees the assessor's office continues to review assessments and assist with exemption applications as part of the 2024 assessment cycle.

Killeen summarized new construction activity that will affect 2025 assessments: 11 new homes are under construction (including two duplexes) and three new foundations are in progress. He said a new office building at Alumi‑Tank in Bigfoot is progressing toward occupancy and sidewalks were being poured on the day of the meeting; Greenway Storage has paved outside storage and will be assessed effective Jan. 1, 2025. The minutes record that three solar farms are under various stages of construction with a market value listed as $218,000 per kilowatt (figure as recorded in the minutes).

Killeen also reviewed appeal activity and recent Board of Review outcomes. He said staff reviewed assessments with 35 taxpayers, corrected nine property assessments by stipulation and made 39 non-property adjustments (exemptions, parcel combos/splits). He said BOR hearings on Oct. 10 resulted in no change for two single‑family cases; hearings on Oct. 15 produced a stipulation reducing one industrial/commercial property by $111,488 in market value (AV reduction 37,159; estimated tax savings $3,497) and a commercial/residential market reduction from $5,291,890 to $4,879,511 (AV reduction 137,446; estimated tax savings $12,977); one gas‑station commercial appeal was withdrawn with no change noted.

The assessor said adjustments for 2024 will end Nov. 1 and that new construction not complete by that date will be assessed in 2025. The board did not take formal action on assessor recommendations during this meeting.