Assessor's forms can be very specific

To The Eagle:

The Assessor's office can assist each property owner by providing concise statistical data, but we've found we must be specific as we ask for copies of their forms.

1) 510 sales from May 2006 through November 2009--This is not to be confused with the "Welcome to Wahkiakum Property Sales" which includes the 371 sales from January 2007 through July 2010 that is readily available at the Assessor's office by the door. The 510 sales is a three page statistical study the Assessor has compiled to make the Puget Island assessments.

2) Square Foot Appraisal Form--This is a form that is in each property owner's "packet" and should be checked each valuation cycle. The appraiser can make changes based on his or her judgment and it becomes an individual's responsibility to check for correctness and to either accept or refuse the appraiser's conclusions. If the Assessor asks for proof ask for the options of how to provide that proof.

3) Depreciation Report--These numbers not only depreciate the structures on a property for valuation but also define specific characteristics of those structures and should be checked for accuracy. This is another opportunity the Assessor gives the property owner to clear up any misconceptions of the appraiser. Appraising does not appear to be a science. The current Assessor admits decisions can be subjective. Subjective opinions can be challenged.

4) Frontage Value Calculation Sheet--Properties on waterways receive this sheet. Properties in other valuation categories would most likely receive a differently titled calculation sheet. This form breaks down the specific characteristics of individual properties and shows how the land has been valued.

5) A Footprint of all Structures on the Property--This is important to check since the value of the structures begins with the square footage. It's the property owner's responsibility to make certain the numbers are correct. The appraiser can change these numbers without any requirement to notify the property owner of the specific change and the reasoning behind it.

6) Welcome to Wahkiakum County Property Sales (371 sales from January 2007 through July 2010)--This is the information which is in the plastic holder by the door of the office. This includes all the county sales. At the beginning of each numbered row of data is the designation re-evaluation areas. R4 is the Puget Island area that is now under review. Not all R4 transactions have been selected to be in the Assessor's sales study (the 510 sales form). Cross referencing of the R4 properties between the 371 and the 510 is sometimes necessary to achieve a complete picture.

7) Other statistical forms--Ask the Assessor for any and all forms relating to the current assessment. For instance, in the 2006 Puget Island valuation cycle, the office was able to provide a copy of a "trending" worksheet showing the upward rise of Puget Island properties. There does not appear to be a trending worksheet available for this current valuation.

It is wise to date the copies of the forms the date you pick them up. The Assessor's office revises the forms as corrections arise.

Paula and Gregg

Carlson

Puget Island