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Kay County board upholds assessor valuations for Kay Wind LLC amid repowering dispute
Summary
The Kay County Equalization Board unanimously accepted the assessor’s adjusted valuations for Kay Wind LLC across three school districts after reviewing a written appeal claiming greater obsolescence from repowering. Board members cited the turbines’ operational status on the January 1 assessment date and federal Production Tax Credit incentives discussed by the assessor’s representative.
The Kay County Equalization Board on June 23 voted unanimously to accept the Kay County Assessor’s adjusted values for wind‑farm equipment owned by Kay Wind LLC in the Braman, Newkirk and Peckham school districts. Chairman Rod Reese made the motion and Member Jeff Wilson seconded; the vote was 3–0 in favor.
Kay Wind’s representative, John Savage, was unable to attend but submitted an emailed appeal arguing the turbines were being repowered and that many components would be removed and sold for salvage. Savage’s packet stated that "the wind farm is currently being repowered, and the blades and upper portions of the units are being replaced," and that the taxpayer believed a 50% obsolescence adjustment would better reflect expected salvage proceeds. The Board reviewed those materials alongside the Assessor’s analysis.
Jerry Wisdom, a representative for the Kay County Assessor and consultant with Total Assessment Solutions Corp., told the Board the units were operational on the January 1 assessment date and that the project receives federal and state funding. Wisdom explained the federal Production Tax Credit (PTC) incentive, saying the PTC "significantly improves wind farm economics" and often motivates operators to "upgrade or ‘repower’ aging wind facilities by replacing outdated turbines with larger, more efficient technology that maximizes energy output." Wisdom also stated the facility produces 299 megawatts and that approximately 200 megawatts are slated for repowering; he identified Southern Power as the facility owner.
The Board considered comparative valuation figures presented during the hearing: last year’s combined fair market value for the three districts was stated as $222,500,000; this year’s total was presented as $168,480,866 after applying a 25% obsolescence adjustment. The Assessor’s adjusted district values the Board approved were: Braman School District — $34,993,476 (assessor) vs. $25,700,685 (taxpayer request); Newkirk Public School District — $19,442,692 (assessor) vs. $14,279,533 (taxpayer request); Peckham Public School District — $114,044,698 (assessor) vs. $83,759,238 (taxpayer request).
After discussion about salvage pricing and dismantling methods, the Board voted to affirm the Assessor’s adjusted values. The decision resolves this appeal for the January 1 assessment date; the Board did not record further procedural directions such as remand or additional adjustments. The Board scheduled a follow-up meeting for June 29 and adjourned the special session at 1:36 p.m.
