The City of Waukesha's Board of Review convened on July 29, 2025, to discuss property valuation concerns, particularly focusing on a local dealership's improvement and land values. The meeting highlighted the significant depreciation of the dealership's property, which has not been remodeled since 1999, leading to a proposed valuation of approximately $5.3 million.
During the session, representatives presented evidence indicating that the dealership's showroom and service areas have not undergone extensive renovations, contributing to their diminished value. The valuation service used, Marshall and Swift, suggested a conservative estimate of $3,073,006 for the improvements, which is about $800,000 less than the county's assessed value of $3,815,800.
The discussion also included comparisons to similar dealership sales, revealing discrepancies in price per square foot that raised questions about the accuracy of the county's valuation. The representatives argued that external factors, such as personal property and franchise fees, often inflate sale prices, complicating the assessment process.
In addition to improvement values, the board reviewed land comps to support the proposed lower land value of $10.50 per square foot, emphasizing the importance of size and visibility in determining fair market value. The representatives expressed their commitment to a conservative approach in their valuation, aiming for a fair assessment that reflects the property's current condition and market realities.
The meeting concluded with the board indicating they would review the provided information further before making a decision on the valuation. The outcome of this discussion will have implications for the dealership's financial standing and future operations within the community.