Assessor: Jefferson County assessment notices to go out Friday; office says county remains in compliance with state ratio study
May 28, 2024 | Jefferson County, Idaho
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Jefferson County Assessor Jessica Roach said assessment notices will be mailed to property owners on Friday and urged residents with questions about their valuation to contact the assessor’s office before filing appeals.
Roach summarized recent market data: she said average sale prices from 2022 averaged approximately $482,500 and 2023 averaged $440,700, noting the market shifted from higher‑end, larger homes during the pandemic to more starter homes in 2023. She told commissioners that listing activity and days on market have reverted toward pre‑pandemic norms and that some classes of property showed modest valuation changes.
The assessor reviewed the county’s ratio studies and compliance requirements, explaining that the state tax commission looks for countywide ratios within a 90–110% confidence range and that Jefferson County’s calculated ratios were about 93–96% on the presented data. "So we are in compliance," Roach said. She also cited Idaho statute 63‑3‑14 requiring assessments reflect market value and noted an ongoing dispute involving public utilities; recent guidance and litigation — she named Rocky Mountain Power and Avista as involved companies — has led to closer scrutiny of public‑utility valuation thresholds (95–105%) and may influence how the state requires reporting for those classes.
Roach noted that a legislative change requires assessment notices to show the last two years of tax information and the percent change, plus three years of valuation history, and that her office will include an insert explaining the changes. She emphasized that the assessor sets values and does not set tax levies, which are set by taxing districts and budget processes.
Next steps: assessment notices mailed Friday; the assessor’s office will field public questions and prepare to present valuations to the state tax commission board of equalization in August if required by the ongoing review process.
Roach summarized recent market data: she said average sale prices from 2022 averaged approximately $482,500 and 2023 averaged $440,700, noting the market shifted from higher‑end, larger homes during the pandemic to more starter homes in 2023. She told commissioners that listing activity and days on market have reverted toward pre‑pandemic norms and that some classes of property showed modest valuation changes.
The assessor reviewed the county’s ratio studies and compliance requirements, explaining that the state tax commission looks for countywide ratios within a 90–110% confidence range and that Jefferson County’s calculated ratios were about 93–96% on the presented data. "So we are in compliance," Roach said. She also cited Idaho statute 63‑3‑14 requiring assessments reflect market value and noted an ongoing dispute involving public utilities; recent guidance and litigation — she named Rocky Mountain Power and Avista as involved companies — has led to closer scrutiny of public‑utility valuation thresholds (95–105%) and may influence how the state requires reporting for those classes.
Roach noted that a legislative change requires assessment notices to show the last two years of tax information and the percent change, plus three years of valuation history, and that her office will include an insert explaining the changes. She emphasized that the assessor sets values and does not set tax levies, which are set by taxing districts and budget processes.
Next steps: assessment notices mailed Friday; the assessor’s office will field public questions and prepare to present valuations to the state tax commission board of equalization in August if required by the ongoing review process.
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