Arbor Ridge homeowner challenges assessor’s adjustments; board upholds 2026 assessment

A property owner representing the Kevin and Pamela Ascen Trust told the Pleasant Prairie Board of Review July 14 that a $747,400 2026 assessment for a ranch in Arbor Ridge was too high and that the assessor's own comparables produced inconsistent indicated values because of large adjustments. The owner argued that the sale needing the smallest adjustment — a recent, same‑subdivision ranch sale — should carry the most weight.

The assessor's office explained that its valuation process uses neighborhood groups and style factors, applies time adjustments to reflect market movement, and employs a square‑root sizing approach (declining returns per added square foot) when attaching per‑square‑foot values to floors and finished basements. The assessor presented five comparables across the relevant neighborhood group and defended time adjustments and neighborhood style factors used to normalize the market.

After technical Q&A and a discussion of sampling across neighborhood groups, the board deliberated and voted to accept the assessor's valuation. The clerk will issue the notice of determination and the owner was advised of appeal rights.