Property owners in the City of Superior received innocuous looking yellow postcards in the mail recently. Upon closer inspection, shock set in for most as they viewed the updated valuations. How hefty were the changes? One landowner was informed that a small piece of land, last evaluated at $1,675, was now assessed at $22,240. A shocking increase to say the least.
Superior house owners were informed that the land upon which the residence is situated was now valued at a much higher rate. Some examples were an increase in valuation from $1,250 to $4,500. House valuations also rose but not at the same rate.
Agricultural land also saw increased valuations but not on the scale of those in Superior city.
Residential properties are rated at 99 percent of average level of value, commercial and industrial is rated at 100 percent while agricultural lands are rated at 75 percent.
Susan Rogers, county assessor, explained the reasons behind the increases. Agricultural land is reevaluated on an annual basis. Residential and commercial properties in cities, and villages are on a six year reappraisal cycle. This year, it was Superior’s turn. The reason for the huge land value increases is the result of land reappraisals not having been done in Superior since 2002. The state sets a standard for what percentages land values are of a municipalities total. The assessor’s office utilizes a two-year average of residential house sales for comparable properties. House prices in Superior have skyrocketed over the past two years. This increase is reflected in the current reevaluations. The communities of Hardy, Oak, Nora and Ruskin are up for reevaluations next year. Lawrence and Nelson are on the schedule in 2025.
Property owners do have an avenue of appeal. If one doesn’t agree with the valuations, a protest may be filed at the county courthouse in Nelson. Carrie Miller, county clerk, will provide a Property Valuation Protest form through June 30. The county board of equalization will convene between June 26 and July 17, 2023, to review written protests. They will then make a decision on the protests. A concise statement, with the reason for the protest and a property description to identify the protested property is also required. Failure to provide the previous will result in an automatic dismissal of the protest.
If one agrees with the assessment then no further action is needed.
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