(Bannock County Press Release, July 1, 2026; Cover photo credit: Bannock County)
June flew by for us! We’ve been busy meeting with taxpayers to discuss their property values, and we also held Board of Equalization hearings for those who chose to appeal their assessments.
As I mentioned in last month’s newsletter, we did not see the significant value increases that occurred last year. Even so, June was an incredibly busy month. Through office visits, phone calls, and emails, we assisted at least 193 taxpayers. That number doesn’t include the many calls we resolved without logging them into our system. We also had 104 parcels appealed to the Commissioners. Since several appeals included multiple parcels, there were approximately 35 individual appellants.
Every year, I come away from the appeal process having learned something valuable, simply by listening to our taxpayers. This year, one lesson stood out to me: when someone comes into our office with questions about their home or business valuation, we need to ensure they truly understand the information we’re providing before they leave.
One experience especially reinforced that for me. After a taxpayer completed her Board of Equalization appeal, I personally invited her to return to our office so we could spend more time explaining our valuation process. My goal is that no one leaves our office feeling confused or unheard. We met with her for over an hour, and it turned into a wonderful conversation. Not only did we get to know her better, but we were also able to explain the many steps involved in determining market value—steps most taxpayers never see. It was a great reminder that taking extra time to communicate can make all the difference.
That is why I continue to encourage everyone: please come talk with us about your property’s value. You don’t have to wait until June. We’re happy to visit with you any time during the year.
Sometimes, after reviewing your property together, we find information that allows us to make an adjustment. Other times, the assessment is accurate, and no changes are needed. Because we perform mass appraisal, we do not inspect every individual home. We rely on building plans and information submitted to our office, and sometimes the finished home differs from those original plans. For example, a basement may not have been completed, or other changes may have been made during construction that we simply aren’t aware of unless you let us know.
If you’ve built a new home or recently purchased one, I encourage you to stop by and visit with us. The more accurate information we have, the more accurate your assessment can be.
Manufactured homes, particularly older ones, did see value increases this year, as I mentioned in my previous newsletter. However, we’ve also been able to make adjustments when we’ve learned more about a home’s condition. Not every manufactured home is the same, and condition can have a significant impact on value.
In some cases, homeowners preferred not to have us inspect the interior, but they let us know about unfinished basements, flood damage, or other conditions affecting the property. Many simply sent us photographs, while others invited us to inspect the home. In several instances, we discovered conditions we hadn’t been aware of and adjusted the assessment accordingly.
Our goal is always to be as fair and accurate as possible. Your help is an important part of that process. Because mass appraisal means we cannot inspect every individual property, we rely on property owners to let us know when something has changed or when we may be missing information. Working together helps ensure your property is valued as accurately and fairly as possible.
As always, thank you for taking the time to visit with us, ask questions, and help us serve our community. We wish you and your family a safe, happy, and enjoyable Fourth of July!
