By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
One hundred percent divided by six years is roughly 17 percent a year. That's the target of the Barton County Appraiser's Office each year with its summer reinspections. Appraiser Wendy Prosser and staff are gearing up for this year's rounds of inspections to help determine property values.
"We have to inspect the properties once every six years; to physically be on that property," Prosser said. "If we calculate that out, it ends up being about 17 percent of the county each year. You'll hear us call it relist, reinspection, or 17 percent."
The 17 percent this year includes Quail Creek, the condos west of Veterans Park, and the section of Great Bend north of 24th Street and east of Washington to the city limit. In the county, this year's reinspections include the city of Claflin and Independent, North Homestead, Albion, and Grant Townships, and Cheyenne Township north of K-4 Highway. Appraisal staff can do most of its work from the outside of the property.
"By statute, we do everything from the exterior of the homes," said Prosser. "We can come in the property if the taxpayer wants us to. My staff will never ask to come in the property because we are doing mass appraisal versus a fee appraisal, so we are doing it in general."
But interior changes to properties do matter. In an effort to notify the public of the upcoming work, and to learn more about those interiors, Prosser's office is sending letters to property owners. Important information includes the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in a property, the type of bathroom fixtures, the status of basements, and whether or not the property has egress windows. Completing the work every six years gives the appraiser's office an ongoing and accurate depiction of values.
"Everything on a residential property is location, location, location," said Prosser. "We know as we get new neighborhoods and some neighborhoods get older, the desirabilities will change. Maybe it used to be all retired, single families and now it's turned into rental units. That will make a difference in that market valuation and what people are willing to pay to live in certain neighborhoods."
Appraisal staff will attempt to contact residents before completing the inspections. A bright green card will be left on the door if no one answers. During inspections, appraisal staff may take measurements and photos of all aspects of the property.