2020-01-28 Update with AssessorUpdate with Assessor
January 28, 2020
10:04 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Jackson, Dianne Dorey, Dave Campbell, Becky Butler,
Commissioner Fund (by phone at 10:37 a.m.)
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Assessor Dianne Dorey said the turbines at the Skookumchuck wind farm are on leased land and are
considered personal property, not real property.
Therefore, she said, the turbines and poles, etc., cannot be counted as new construction. She said the
only part that can be counted is the concrete pad.
Dianne said the turbines’ value will depreciate quickly over 20 years.
Dianne said the DOR will assess the 2021 for 2022 tax year.
Dianne said some of the footprint will have to come out of the Designated Forest Land program. She
said the Assessor’s Office will have to contract with Pictometry to re-fly the area to take updated aerials
to determine what areas have been logged. She estimated the likely cost at $5,000.
Dianne asked the commissioners to consider changing the Board of Equalization appeal deadlines back
to 30 days instead of 60 days.
Commissioner Fund joined by phone at 10:37 a.m.
Dianne said roughly 100 individuals, some with multiple parcels, appeal their values annually.
Dianne said the longer appeal deadline means she has to keep appraisers in the office to respond to
citizens’ concerns, meaning they are unable to go out in the field to take care of their normal duties.
Dianne outlined the reval process and timelines.
Dianne said the shorter window allows her office to provide value information to the taxing districts
earlier in the year so they can do their budgets.
Commissioner Jackson left at 10:53 a.m.
Becky Butler recommended creating a list of pros and cons for both appeal deadlines. She also
suggested possibly having an online submission option.
The commissioners said they would like to meet with members of the Board of Equalization on one of
the already scheduled BOE hearing dates.
Meeting adjourned at 11:09 a.m.