The City of Waukesha's Board of Review convened on July 29, 2025, to discuss property valuation disputes, focusing on a specific auto dealership's assessed value. The meeting highlighted significant discrepancies between the property owner's requested valuation and the county's assessment.

During the session, the property owner argued for a valuation of $240 per square foot, citing a recent sale of a comparable dealership at $113 per square foot. They expressed concerns over what they deemed an inflated assessment, claiming their valuation was conservative compared to the county's figures, which they argued were excessively high. The owner pointed out that their calculated improvement value was significantly lower than the county's assessment, suggesting that the county's valuation had increased dramatically without justification.

Board members engaged in a detailed discussion regarding the square footage of the property, which was a critical factor in determining its value. The property owner presented a figure of 25,386 square feet, while the county's records indicated a total of 46,902 square feet. This discrepancy raised questions about the accuracy of the assessments and the methods used to calculate the property’s value.

The Board ultimately found the county's assessment to be credible, supported by recent comparable sales data and the assessor's testimony. They concluded that the property owner did not provide sufficient evidence to challenge the county's valuation. As a result, the Board voted to uphold the assessor's valuation, maintaining the current assessment for the property.

The decision underscores the importance of accurate property records and the challenges property owners face when disputing assessments. The Board's ruling also serves as a reminder of the statutory requirements governing property assessments in Wisconsin. Property owners dissatisfied with the decision were informed about the process to appeal the ruling.