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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM102793 COURTHOUSE P.O. BOX 1220 PORT TOWNSEND. WASHINGTON 98368 ~,c~('~:;;t,4. "), >"*. ,~I'"<"T'>' (:...;1,"'. ,.~,~.~. ..~.' ,!~.'" , _ !,..,,4p.r, ,<fi .."'I';!'.~", ".~. ~f'~rtrr~~i~'J~:-,;;., 1D;., ,~" ,~l,:~~< ~~it.><b~~\~':~o{~J.~; JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF EQUALIZATION MINUTES OCTOBER 27. 1993 ., Jefferson County Board of Equalization TELEPHONE: 385.9100 James A. DeLeo William S. Marlow Richard A. Broders Lars Watson Chairman Vice-Chairman Member Alternate Chairman James A. DeLeo called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. Vice-Chairman William S. Marlow and Member Richard A. Broders were also present. HEARINGS Eric & Helen Arnold 25820 Pioneer Wav NW Pou1sbo. W A 98370 BOE: 93-09-LO PN: 996 600 024 Helen Arnold was vresent. Robert Kingslev was present on behalf of the Assessor's office. Chairman James A. DeLeo explained the hearing process and swore them in. Mrs. Arnold stated the property is for sale contingent on the installation of a septic system. She contacted Ted Stricklin for an estimate and was told that the property would not support a house or building. The property is 75' x 300' but it is lower than the two parcels adjoining it and as a result they drain into the appellant's property. Test holes were dug which immediately filled with ground water. It is her understanding that since the property is waterfront, the County will not allow fill to be brought in to build the lot up in order to accommodate a septic ~1'stem. The property almost sold for the assessed value of $65,000, however. the sale fell through once it was discovered the property is unbuildable. She feels $15,000 would more accurately reflect the value of the property. Mr. Kingsley stated that generally in a case where property is not suitable for a septic system, the Assessor's otIice reduces the value by the amount it would cost to cure the problem. Usually a mound ~1'stem which costs $10,000 cures these problems. However, in this particular situation the engineer determined that the property is not suitable for a mound or any type of system. When this occurs the Assessor's office reduces the property value by 50%. Half of $65,000 would be $32,500. The 50% reduction has not yet been discussed with Mr. and Mrs. Arnold. Since there has not been any sales of property that won't support a septic system, there is nothing to compare this parcel to. After hearing the testimony of both parties the Board concurred that they would conduct an inspection of the nroperty and make.ft. determination at a later date. ~ _~ 'ftllWo RecyCled Paper BOARD OF EQUALIZATION MEETING MINUTES - OCTOBER 27, 1993 PAGE 2 Edward Gallagher 921-168th PI. NE Bellevue, W A 98008 BOE: 93-16-LO 93-17-LQ PN: 002 352 025 002 352 030 Edward Gallagher was present. Bob Shold was present on behalf of the Assessor's office. Chairman James A. DeLeo explained the hearing process and swore them in. Mr. Gallagher stated he worked for several years as a real estate agent and considers himself a professional in establishing market value. His wife has also worked in real estate and has for the past fifteen years been one of the top agents for Coldwell Banker. He stated there were no comparable sales that occurred in the past year and it is their feeling that the assessments were based on top market prices of 1989. Several events have occurred since then that have negatively impacted property values in this area. The idea of a retirement community in this area has been abandoned, and since California's economy fell apart, Californian's are not paying premium prices for property in Washington. At the time of the assessment the property did not have a view. However, since then he has cleared the lot. He feels it's questionable to consider it waterfront since there is no access to the beach and it would cost between $85,000 and $110,000 to put the access in. The Health Department reviewed the septic design and would not give approval for any type of system, defmitely not a gravity flow system. Depending upon a further study, they may allow a mound system for an additional $15,000, He purchased one of the lots in December 1992 for $25,000. Considering all these factors he feels an adjustment should be made. Vice-Chairman Bill Marlow asked Mr. Gallagher if he had received the denial of his septic system in writing from the Health Department? Mr. Gallagher stated no, he received a verbal denial for the gravity system and was told that the Health Department would review the property in December or January to see if another type of system will work. Since his neighbor had to put in a mound system for $15,000, Mr. Gallagher assumes it will cost him the same. Bob Shold stated that Mr. Gallagher presented the same comparable sales the Assessor's office used to value his property. There is no convincing evidence that proves the assessed value is incorrect. Mr. Shold added that Mr. Gallagher purchased only 1/2 interest of the one parcel for $25,000 from a relative. This would not be considered a fair market transaction. After hearing the testimony of both parties the Board concurred that they would conduct an inspection of the property and make a determination at a later date. John Van Houten Rt. 85 Box 4208 Livingston, MT 59047 DOE: 93-43-R PN: 001 104 004 John Van Houten was not present. Bob Shold was present on behalf of the Assessor's office. Having been sworn in previously the Board directed Mr. Shold to proceed with his testimony. Mr. Shold presented comparable sales and stated that the issues brought up in the appellant's petition were considered and adjustments for them were made. After reviewing the petition form and hearing the testimony of the Assessor, the Board concurred to conduct an inspection of the property and make a determination at a later date. 'BOARD OF EQUALIZATION MEETING MINUTES - OCTOBER 27, 1993 PAGE 3 William T. Smith 720 W. Blaine Street Seattle, WA 98119 BOE: 93-32-R PN: 989 706 002 William T. Smith was present. Assessor Jack Westerman was present on behalf of the Assessor's Office. Chairman James A. DeLeo explained the hearing process and swore them in. Mr. Smith stated he purchased this house approximately 13 years ago with the idea of retiring here and has rented it out ever since. Nothing has been done to improve it and he has difficulty just maintaining it. For the past ten years he has been renting to an elderly lady who is on a fixed income and has suffered very serious personal, financial and medical setbacks. Another family has been helping her pay her rent because she cannot afford it. Due to her situation he has not raised the rent in ten years and has never said anything about many of her NSF checks. At one point he tried to get her federal assistance but they were unable to help her. If his taxes go up he will be forced to raise the rent and his elderly tenant will be forced to move. He realizes this is not the type of testimony the Board is supposed to consider but he feels it is important that they hear it. Jack Westerman reported on comparable sales. He stated he did not know what condition the interior of the house is in and suggested that the Board inspect the inside of the house as well. Mr. Smith has told him about certain problems inside the house. For instance, there is an oil drum barrel in the basement of the house rather than an underground oil tank. While everyone feels compassion for Mr. Smith it is reality that the value of his property has increased. After hearing the testimony of both parties the Board concurred to conduct an inspection of the property and make a determination at a later date. MEETING ADJOURNED JEFFERSON COUNTY BO RD OF EQUALIZATION L t ,~~ ~A Lf1 ~~~~-' ~ Erin K. Lundgren, de of the oard