Tax Group Seeks 'More Equitable' Rates

By CAROLYN WILLIAMS
Staff writer

The Equality State Taxpayers Association is working toward a more “equitable” tax rate for all Wyoming residents.

Steadily rising property taxes statewide prompted formation of the group. Its members hope to change through state law the way property values are assessed.

“This group was formed to let people know that there’s a problem and that we intend to do something about it,” said executive director Bill Doenz of Sheridan.

“It’s still in the formative process, but you’ll be hearing and seeing much more from us,” northwest regional director John Torbit of Cody added.

The association is based in Sheridan. Doenz also serves as northeast regional director. Ken Shackelford of Star Valley is the southwest regional director and Mike Varney of Torrington is southeast regional director. Carolyn Paseneaux of Casper is the group’s registered lobbyist.

The association is proposing changing the way property values are assessed from the ad valorem system to an acquisition method. It also is drafting legislation regarding contested property value cases. Across the state, and especially in Park and Teton counties, property taxes are continually on the rise.

“It’s an upward spiral with no end,” Doenz says. While 70 percent of property taxes fund the state school system, “the schools are well financed. There’s no excuse to tax residents out of their homes,” he added.

While property taxes increase in other states, there is often a cap on the amount they can increase. Florida has a 3 percent limit.  Wyoming has no cap, and taxes have risen 80 percent in Jackson and 
40-50 percent in Cody and Sheridan during the past few years, according to Doenz.

By the acquisition style of assessment, homeowners would pay the same amount of property tax from the time they buy their property until they sell it. When property is sold, the property value and taxes would be reassessed.

In a contested property value case, homeowners are only allowed to see the houses a county assessor used to evaluate the value of their home.

“Homeowners are being denied due process,” he added. “They’re not getting the information they need to fully argue the case.

“It’s impossible to get all 23 county assessors enough education to make the system work. They never will make it work,” Doenz said. The association, which plans to have its first meeting of directors in July, is drafting legislation that will be pre-filed for the next legislative session in February.

The legislation they propose would allow a homeowner in a contested case access to all home values in the county, not only the ones used by the county assessor. That information would not be available for full disclosure and homeowners involved in the case and their attorney would sign a non-disclosure form.

“The information is still confidential, but you must have it to have any chance in a contested case,” Doenz said. “All people can see now is the few sales the assessor used to value their home but it’s important to see what he didn’t use, too. If he didn’t use low end sales, it would set an artificially high value for a home.”

The association would prefer to work with legislators on the issue, but is prepared to pursue a ballot initiative if necessary.

“We’re prepared to do whatever we have to do,” Doenz said.

The group will sign up more members at its July meeting from petitions regional directors have been working on.

The association has a Web site that is updated regularly. Currently,  the association has a 24/7 answering service where community members can seek information.

“Everyone will get an answer,” Doenz said.
For more information, visit www.equalitystatetaxpayers.com.