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Polk County homeowners protest sharp assessment increases, cite comparables and safety concerns
Summary
Several Polk County residents told the Board their assessed values rose substantially—one cited a roughly 35% increase, another said a home’s value doubled—asked for inspections and raised concerns about lack of basements, small lots, and sales to family members below assessed value.
A string of homeowners appeared before the Polk County Board of Equalization to contest recent jumps in assessed values and to point to comparables they say show lower market prices.
Bob and Avis Blase said the agricultural-land valuation on their parcel increased and asked the Board to consider the fact their land borders commercial property; they did not dispute house or outbuilding valuations. Tim Wemhoff said a rural parcel had a roughly 35% increase in assessed value and called that excessive. Boyd Jones objected to an increase on recreational acreage that he said exceeded nearby property adjustments and noted that the structure on the parcel has no basement or storm shelter. Mark and Lori Schott said their two-bedroom Osceola home has only a partial basement and that the assessed value has roughly doubled in recent years compared with similar two-bedroom homes. Alexandra Borden told the Board the assessed “residential building” on her parcel is actually a 24' x 24' hunting cabin on skids with no plumbing or heating.
Robert Glasser provided sales information that he said showed similar homes in Polk selling for less than $100,000 and informed the Board a home was being sold to a grandson at a price below assessed value; the Board scheduled an interior inspection. Several owners were scheduled for on-site viewings or inspections by the Assessor’s office to verify conditions.
No immediate reversals are recorded in the minutes; the record shows the Board collected evidence, set inspections and viewings, and approved other valuation changes elsewhere on the agenda.
