By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Per Kansas statute, Barton County Appraiser Wendy Prosser was appointed to a four-year term last week at the Barton County Commission meeting. As the agenda item was discussed, Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson jokingly asked Prosser if she was incentivized in any way to raise somebody’s property value. While the obvious answer is “no,” Commissioner Barb Esfeld said it is good to remind citizens that property valuations are all based on statutes and what is required from the Appraiser’s Office.
"The appraiser does not set taxes," said Esfeld. "They are just a part of the value. We're going through the budget hearings right now. That's where people need to pay attention to the budgets. That's where the mill levy comes in. In no way could a commissioner ever tell an appraiser to raise values. It would be against every statute, standards and ethics that there is."
The Appraiser’s Office needs to be within 10% of what properties are selling for each time they inspect real estate.
Prosser reminded citizens that they are always welcome to appeal or discuss their valuations.
"I know citizens are frustrated," said Prosser. "A lot of people that come in have never come in before. We go through their data. We explain how we come up with those values. The appeal process does end up being long when we get a lot of appeals. At the same time, it's a good thing because people are feeling like they can come in and ask questions. We want that to always be the case."
Hutchinson added that the budget is set by taxing entities…if you believe your taxes are too high, it’s your taxing entities that are taxing you too much and not your appraiser’s office.