"We will have the appraiser present his three comparables, though we don't have the information we need."
NOTE: This presentation of the appraiser, Mr. Mankin, is shown as the right hand column at the beginning of this page.
| Dave and Judith Palmer 7475 State Route 12 Oakville, Wa. 98568 360/273-8117 dave at theblackriver dot net judith at theblackriver dot net www.theblackriver.net |
Mr. Ron Moon called the hearing to order and "swore in" all individuals who would be speaking during the hearing. He stated that "proof that the appraisal is incorrect" - "the burden rests with the appellant" . "The appellant has 20 minutes to make presentation, as does the appraiser".
The appellant, Mr. Dave Palmer, presented his case from 9:08 a.m. - 9:26 a.m. Mr. Palmer presented each person attending the hearing with a packet which included the following:
1. Cover letter.
2. Map showing location of the assessor's comparable homes in present appraisal and previous appraisal.
3. Page listing 5 of the assessor's comparable flooded homes and appellants flooded home.
Mr. Palmer continued his portion of the meeting (left column). Following a lot of discussion and arguing (which is presented following the table), Mr. Mankin presented the Grays Harbor Assessor position (right column).
| Appellant position: | Assessor Office position: |
| 4. Picture of FH1 which had only 6" of 1996 flood water in it (it has since been elevated 2 feet above the 1996 flood level), map of location of FH1 and four aerial views of FH1 showing its relationship to the appellants home and flood plain and a page specifically addressing "facts" regarding the inappropriateness of this assessor's comparable home. It has flooded only once and now has been raised above the 100 year flood level.- | Mr. Jim Mankin (appraiser) stated:
"Page 5, "Comparable house #1", under "Comparable Sales" I brought this in because, since 1996 Mr. Palmer has built an elaborate metal dike around his home." The purchaser (of comparable house #1) realizes they're in the 100 year flood plain. They stated "will need a boat" when it floods. "There has not been water in it." |
| 5. Five detailed pages regarding assessor's comparable home FH2. FH2 has never flooded. Appraisal data obtained from the Assessor's office shows inconsistencies and/or error in the appraisers data. This home sold May 2001 as tribal trust land and went off the tax roles. | Mr. Mankin (appraiser) stated:
"Comparable house #2" "Is right on Highway 12. Couldn't drive down Highway 12 (in the flood)." "Neighbor behind this house said there was water in the house." |
| 6. A page regarding assessor's comparable home FH3. It states the present home owner said (on 12/3/02) that "the home has never been flooded". | Mr. Mankin (appraiser) stated:
"Comparable house #3" "Talked to son (of the owner of this house). The owner's son said, "water came up to the second step" of the home." Mr. Mankin (appraiser) then stated: "Water could very well get in some day." "They really bought the land". |
| 7. Three detailed pages regarding assessor's comparable home FH4. The house is on the reservation. The house has not been flooded twice. Appraisal data obtained from the Assessor's office shows inconsistencies and/or error in the appraiser's data was presented. | Mr. Mankin (appraiser) stated:
"Comparable house #4" "Can't drive on Howey Nut (Howanut Road) Road (when there is flooding), that's a clear fact." "Didn't talk to this man (home owner). (He) wasn't home. The house was pretty level with Howey Nut Road (Howanut Road). If Howey Nut Road (Howanut Road) had two feet of water, I don't see how it couldn't get in the house." |
| 8. Three detailed pages regarding assessor's comparable home FH5. Appraisal data obtained from the Assessor's office shows the home was built in 1997 after the floods of 1990, 1991 and 1996. Appraisal data obtained from the Assessor's office shows inconsistencies and/or error in the appraiser's data was presented. | Mr. Mankin (appraiser) stated:
"Comparable house #5" "Wasn't built yet." "I talked to the neighbor across the street (from comparable house #5) and the neighbor said, "If house the house had been built, it would have had water in it." - |
NOTE: The appellants presentation continued (below), followed by debate and argument, and then the appraiser, Mr. Mankin, was allowed to participate.
9. A page listing the appellants position regarding Out of Area Sales, which are in a different flood plain with unknown flooding.
10. A page listing appellants position regarding Regular Home Sales.
11. Eight detailed pages addressing the "facts" relating to the appellants home (including previous appellant appraisal "reversals" and pictures).
The following statements were in response to the packet provided by the appellant, Mr. Palmer:
A Board Member repeatedly stated:
"You (appellant, Mr. Palmer) have NO comparable sales!"
Appellant, Mr. Palmer :
"To the best of my knowledge, there are no comparable sales."
In regards to the appellant's (Mr. Palmer) past two assessments and a question about the last flood that destroyed the appellant's property, the following statement was made:
A Board Member stated:
A Board Member then stated:"He's (appellant, Mr. Palmer) a regular customer!"
A Board Member stated:We "have had the 100 year flood. You (appellant, Mr. Palmer) need to get on with life!"
A Board Member stated:"It's not our fault the road hasn't been cleared out. There are curable and incurable problems."
Appellant, Mr. Palmer stated:"Do you have flood insurance? What prices are you stating? (regarding appellants statement about displaying the home for sale on the WWW)".
A Board Member stated:"I haven't listed a price."
Appellant, Mr. Palmer stated:"On your petition, what are you petitioning?
The appraiser, Mr. Jim Mankin stated he had three different appraisals:"I own five parcels. The home is on one. My estimate is on the first (cover letter) page.
(I'm petitioning for) rolling that number back to a previous board decision. Close to what the
previous board assessed. The assessed value was $97,545.00 four years ago."
A Board Member stated (to the appellant, Mr. Palmer):Flooded Homes, Non-flooded Homes and Flooded Homes outside the area. (The appraiser used a mylar map and was only looking at where the (appellant's) house sits.)
A Board Member:"I want some hard evidence and I haven't got it! Do you (appellant) want to table it until we get it (evidence)? It's a matter of his (appraiser) opinion against your (appellant) opinion. The property is unique with unique problems. The county (appraiser?) can go anywhere in the state of Washington (to find unique property). (Appellant) need (to provide) hard evidence, bottom line. (I'm) willing to table this until (appellant) finds unique properties (as comparables)."
A Board Member stated (to the appellant, Mr. Palmer):"The state requires you to get comparable sales. You can go anywhere."
A Board Member stated (to the appellant, Mr. Palmer):"You (need to) provide better evidence! You're a regular customer! You're here every four years! You have nothing to present to us!"
A Board Member stated (about the appellant, Mr. Palmer):"You haven't shown us anything to prove to show us that what you say is fact."
Chair of the Board had to stop the arguments and call the meeting to order . A Board Member stated:"There's a lot of history here, that this gentleman has brought to the table."
A period of arguing and loud discussion.
"We will have the appraiser present his three comparables, though we don't have the information we need."
NOTE: This presentation of the appraiser, Mr. Mankin, is shown as the right hand column at the beginning of this page.