Property owners got the shaft once again

I have received the following from the State Tax Commission regarding their opinion of Bonner County property owners troubles. Thank you, Commissioner Dye, you "took" away our right to appeal. Property owners got the shaft again.

"It is my opinion that Bonner County property taxpayers have no right of appeal of their property assessments. As to properties that were not affected by the State Tax Commission's order to trend values, the 30-day period in which to appeal has expired. (Idaho Code 63-511.) This is true whether the County Board of Equalization issued a decision or not.

"As to properties that were affected by the State Tax Commission order to trend values, there is no appeal. (See the Staker case, 104 Idaho 734.) This is the case even for those taxpayers who appealed to the County Board of Equalization and received relief only to have it disappear when the county board ordered values reset to 2005 levels. The county board's order resetting values superseded the previous decision granting relief and made those properties subject to the commission's trending order.

"When we speak to taxpayers in Bonner County, we should stress two things. First, despite large increases in assessed values, actual property taxes due for 2006 are often decreasing from 2005 levels. Second, the commission's trending order also ordered reassessment of property in Bonner County before 2007 assessment notices go out. This reassessment will be conducted under the supervision of the State Tax Commission and should result in better individual assessments."

KEN JACKSON

Sandpoint