The study that tracks all the residential real estate market located in Barton County indicated that overall, values have increased 2.7% since last year, Barton County Appraiser Barb Esfeld told the County Commission Tuesday morning. This was the average, but the specific amounts (some up and some down) varied by location.
Esfeld brought up the 2020 county market analysis that tracks valuation trends and is prepared by her office during her annual report to commissioners. She also reminded them that by March 1 of each year, the Appraiser’s Office was to have completed valuation of property and mailed notices to the public per state statute.
However, those were mailed this past Friday after the county received an extension when family illnesses in the Appraiser’s Office caused delays. “Property owners still have 30 days to appeal,” she said, adding that should one be concerned about the novel coronavirus, these appeals can be done over the phone.
The results
“With mass appraisal it is difficult to have all properties follow an exact trend due to their uniqueness and physical condition,” she said. They evaluate roughly 18,000 parcels so there can be variances also based on nearby comparable sales.
For example, most areas of the county experienced an inflationary trend. But, in some areas of Great Bend, there was a slight deflationary trend.
The commercial market showed no identifiable trend, she said. The same was true for vacant lots.
“We still look at individual properties,” Esfeld said. Her office looked at property that has sold, so the numbers are not universally applicable to all properties in a given area.
And, with last year’s flooding, some areas saw no sales, she said. They have also been busy inspecting structures with flood damage.
The study indicated:
• For all the residential real estate market located in Barton County indicated there is an overall inflationary trend of 2.7% per year.
• For the residential real estate market for older dwellings, i.e. built before 1946, located in the small cities and rural areas of Barton County (Excluding Hoisington and Ellinwood) there is an overall deflationary trend of 0.49% per year.
• For the residential real estate market for newer dwellings, i.e. built after 1946, located in the small cities and rural areas of Barton County (Excluding Hoisington and Ellinwood) there is an overall inflationary trend of 1.84% per year.
• For the residential real estate market for older dwellings, built before 1946, located in Hoisington there is an overall inflationary trend of 2.94% per year.
• For the residential real estate market for newer dwellings, built after 1946, located in Hoisington there is an overall inflationary trend of 5.61% per year.
• For the residential real estate market for older dwellings, built before 1946, located in Ellinwood there is an overall inflationary trend of 4.78% per year.
• For the residential real estate market for newer dwellings, built after 1946, located in Ellinwood there is an overall inflationary trend of 2.98% per year.
• For the residential real estate market for older dwellings, built before 1946, located in the central and eastern areas of Great Bend there is an overall deflationary trend of 1.17% per year.
• For the residential real estate market for newer dwellings,built after 1946, located in the central and eastern areas of Great Bend there is an overall deflationary trend of 2.36% per year.
• For the residential real estate market for dwellings located in Quail Creek, Amber Meadows and Stoneridge subdivisions, as well as areas located in north central portions of Great Bend and on West Broadway Street there is an overall deflationary trend of 2.58% per year.
• For the commercial real estate market there is no identifiable trend.
• For the real estate market for vacant lots there is no identifiable trend.
With agricultural land, state statutes dictate the Kansas Department of Revenue Division of Property Valuation annually furnish each county the results of its study relating to changes, if any, of the use values, she said. Changes can and do occur as a result of several factors including cropping practices, commodity prices and production costs.
These values are set by the Property Valuation and based on an eight-year rolling average of income off of the land. Esfeld said prices in Barton County had increased but are now leveling off some.
Dryland farm ground dipped 2.2% and irrigated land dipped 1.4%. But, grassland climbed 9.4%.
Any decreases in values could ultimately mean less tax revenue for the county, Esfeld said. And, there is also a lot of uncertainty at the State Legislature over tax laws that could impact counties as well.
“I guess what I hear is that it is going to be a tough budgeting year,” Commissioner Jennifer Schartz said.
“Taxes and values go hand in hand,” Esfeld said. “I urge everyone to look at their values. Would you sell for that? If not, call our office.”
Barton County Commission meeting at a glance
Here is a quick look at what the Barton County Commission did Monday morning:
• Following a 20-minute executive session, named Karen Winkelman as the Acting health director. She replaces Shelly Schneider who resigned last Friday.
• Approved support of the Great Bend JobFest in the amount of $500. The 13th-annual event is planned for April 30 and will be held at the Great Bend Event Center, 3111 10th, Great Bend, said Karen Neuforth, JobFest Committee member.
• Heard a county valuation update from County Appraiser Barb Esfeld. Overall, values have increased by an average of 2.7% since last year.
• Heard an update on the Golden Belt Veterans Memorial from Mick Lang, Memorial Parks Advisory Board president.
• Approved the purchase of a Used Peterbilt for the Road and Bridge Department. The department currently utilizes semi-trucks to haul equipment and materials to job sites when maintaining the county’s blacktop roads, bridges and ditches, said County Works Director Darren Williams. Within the current fleet, the newest and most utilized semi-truck is a 2000 year model Sterling.
Road and Bridge management has researched options to purchase a semi-truck that would best suit the needs of the department. Doonan Peterbilt of Great Bend has provided a quote for a 2018 Peterbilt 389 with 19,575 miles at a cost of $116,600.
The old truck will remain in service.
• Approved a proposal for phase IV cell construction of the Barton County Sanitary Landfill.
Barton County accepted proposals for construction (approximately 6.3 acres) until Feb. 28, said County Administrator Phil Hathcock, who also serves as the solid waste director. Five construction companies provided a bid, and Malm Construction of Lindsborg was selected with a bid of $749,090.82, well under the engineer’s estimate of $1.3 million.
This does not include the sand required, which will be provided by the county. For cell three, the sand cost was $180,000.
The project was in the budget, Hathcock said. The funds come from landfill user fees, not from county taxes.
Proposed work is to include excavation of soil, compacting fill, construction of a soil liner, installation of geomembrane, leachate piping, drainage layer, gas vents, storm water diversion and termination berms, as well as seeding and mulching.
Earlier this month, the commission approved contracting with SCS Engineers of Wichita to provide CQA services during the construction period. Proposed work includes documentation and testing for compacted low permeability soil liner, geosynthetic components and leachate collection system, as well as survey and data review, CQA report preparation and engineering support/project management.
Total estimated cost of services is $160,000.
In January, commissioners OKed the annual engineering services agreement for the facility. The landfill operates under a permit issued by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and by Kansas statute, the permit requires that certain tasks be performed by a Kansas licensed professional engineer and geologist.
SCS Engineers was hired for these engineering services in a contract through 2022. This is the first year on a three-year, $150,300 contract with the firm. The annual cost is $50,100.
