The meeting was swamped by one story after another of people in the Green Creek area in proximity to the new Equestrian Center (now classified as "Equestrian Influenced") who's property valuations shot up dramatically (a majority saying their raw land value jumped from $5.500/acre to $20,000/acre). Many of the speakers were off of Moore Rd., Pea Ridge, John Sheehan Rd and Sandy Plains near the Equestrian Center.
The first acre of land (designated as a home site) for most of these properties were valued at $30,000 or $40,000 (depending on the property) and then $20,000/acre for each additional acre. Pretty crazy for pitched, wooded, rural land. Obviously this is one thing if you only own 2 acres, but creates a huge tax bill if you own over 15 acres. All basically due to land speculation in the area driving up comparable sales (according to the revaluation team).
Over a dozen people spoke (all politely and mater of factually) on the hardship this will bring, with several in tears that they will have to sell their home/land because they can not afford the new property tax ($7,000/year in one case). Many of the speakers have had the land in their family for generations and are fearful of losing it. One after another they pleaded with the commissioners to take a leadership role in investigating what might be done to remedy the situation with several speakers suggesting possible solutions. The county Attorney, Jana Berg, reiterated over and over that there was nothing the Commissioners can do for a specific area or specific homeowners based on state statues. Many were frustrated that they had voted for these commissioners and were being hung out to dry.
One speaker (who was a certified appraiser in the area) brought into question some of the methodology of the revaluation team using local comparable sales "comps" to paint all surrounding land values without individual property adjustments regard to usable land, the existence of flood plains, whether the property is controlled by a covenant agreement, etc.
https://www.facebook.com/TryonDailyBulletin/videos/10155709618442069/
The first acre of land (designated as a home site) for most of these properties were valued at $30,000 or $40,000 (depending on the property) and then $20,000/acre for each additional acre. Pretty crazy for pitched, wooded, rural land. Obviously this is one thing if you only own 2 acres, but creates a huge tax bill if you own over 15 acres. All basically due to land speculation in the area driving up comparable sales (according to the revaluation team).
Over a dozen people spoke (all politely and mater of factually) on the hardship this will bring, with several in tears that they will have to sell their home/land because they can not afford the new property tax ($7,000/year in one case). Many of the speakers have had the land in their family for generations and are fearful of losing it. One after another they pleaded with the commissioners to take a leadership role in investigating what might be done to remedy the situation with several speakers suggesting possible solutions. The county Attorney, Jana Berg, reiterated over and over that there was nothing the Commissioners can do for a specific area or specific homeowners based on state statues. Many were frustrated that they had voted for these commissioners and were being hung out to dry.
One speaker (who was a certified appraiser in the area) brought into question some of the methodology of the revaluation team using local comparable sales "comps" to paint all surrounding land values without individual property adjustments regard to usable land, the existence of flood plains, whether the property is controlled by a covenant agreement, etc.
https://www.facebook.com/TryonDailyBulletin/videos/10155709618442069/