Supervisors deny request for a housing reappraisal

The Yuma County supervisors on Monday denied a request to reassess a home value based on the current market, establishing a precedent that the board will be guided only by assessor numbers.
 
The board of supervisors, convened as the county Housing Board, was asked to act on a review of a real estate property valuation for Linda S. Tucker for a parcel located at 11655 E. Calle Gaudi in Mesa del Sol.
 
Tucker said her property valuation increased by $30,000 and wanted it valued at $200,000, the assessed amount last year. Assessor’s office officials explained that any economic downturns, especially those in the housing market, were not relevant to the values for this year, which were established based on values from Jan. 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007 according to state guidelines. The assessor’s office took the average of 31 similar properties located near Tucker’s residence, and with her property having an estimated value of $240,199, determined the price as fair and equitable.
 
The housing board’s question was if all properties were being assessed fairly, or if all were priced beyond their actual value. The board decided that all might be assessed beyond their actual value, but that all were fair because all were being equally assessed and valued.
 
Supervisor Tony Reyes said he did believe assessed values to be high, and that he motioned to set Tucker’s property value at $200,000. The motion was not seconded, with Chairman Greg Ferguson saying the board would be “going down a slippery slope here” if it began to reassess all properties of owners who came before the board. Vice Chairman Russell McCloud motioned that Tucker’s property be assessed at a price closer to the average for the area. Tucker said she would not appeal the decision if McCloud’s motion was upheld. The board voted unanimously in favor. The minimal difference will have a minimal impact on Tucker’s property tax.
 
The supervisors did reappraise the house value based on averages obtained by the assessor's office from Jan. 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007.

The board is adjourned until Oct. 20.


----
Matt Keller can be reached at mkeller@yumasun.com or 539-6857.
----

OTHER MOTIONS FROM THE YUMA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

On Monday, the Yuma County Board of Supervisors also:
 
• Recommended state approval of a Regular Liquor License Application submitted by Karen Ghlee Tracy, Tamarack Cafe & Bar, 4855 S. Avenue 38E, Roll.
 
• Adopted Budget Amendment Resolution No. 09-40, establishing budget authority of $10,069 to meet projected improvement district expenses for public works for Arroyo de Fortuna Improvement District No. 08-01.
 
• Authorized the General Services Director to negotiate the construction project fee and a contract with Eckard Commercial Construction to replace the HVAC Cooling Tower at the Yuma County Public Health facility, subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors.
 
• Authorized a budget amendment resolution creating two new Senior Adult Probation Officer positions in the State Aid Enhancement Fund and one amendment eliminating two vacant Adult Probation Surveillance Officer positions in the Intensive Probation Supervision Fund.
 
• Voted to receive public comment on the Board of Directors of the Yuma County Citrus Pest Control District’s desire to amend and expand the current prevention or eradication pest list to include a pair of Asian insects that are harming crops in Florida. That was followed by possible action to approve the petition following a call for an election by the District within 90 days. The election is set for Nov. 11.
 
• Adopted a budget amendment to transfer budget authority from Colorado River Levee Certification Project to the Gila River Floodplain Delineation Project and authorized the Floodplain Manager to sign Change Order No. 2, in the amount of $125,059 for additional services to delineate the floodplain for Coyote Wash and an unnamed wash approximately one mile west of Coyote Wash between the Gila River and the Mohawk Canal.
 
• Approved of a Special Event Liquor License application submitted by Todd Michael Burch for Yuma Sunrise Rotary Club for a community fundraiser to be held Oct. 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. at 15732 Via Cortile.
 
• And agreed to extend lobbying services contract with Dorn Policy Group for the 2009 Arizona State Legislative Session as provided in current contract, among other motions.