​Sec. 70.47, Wis. Stats.

1. If the assessor changed an assessment at Open Book in the morning, gave the property owner a 15-day notice (30-day for a revaluation), and the municipality began the BOR that afternoon, how long should the BOR be kept open?


2. Does the property owner always need to provide an estimate of the length of time it will take them to present at the hearing?


3. If the property owner is not present when the BOR schedules their hearing, how should the BOR notify the owner of the hearing?


4. Does the law allow an assessor to hold an Open Book for more than one district at a time?


5. If the assessment roll is not complete, should the assessor be present at the BOR meeting scheduled within the first 45 days after the fourth Monday in April?


6. Does the BOR provide written notice of determination to the property owner appealing the assessment?


7. Since a clerk must physically mail the determination notices, does the BOR need to adjourn to another day if the post office is closed when the BOR concludes its business?

1. If the assessor changed an assessment at Open Book in the morning, gave the property owner a 15-day notice (30-day for a revaluation), and the municipality began the BOR that afternoon, how long should the BOR be kept open?
   
   

   State law requires seven days between the end of Open Book (sec. 70.45, Wis. Stats.), and the start of the BOR (sec. 70.47, Wis. Stats.).

   After the initial meeting, unless the property owner is given the appropriate waiver (and signs it), the BOR needs to adjourn and reconvene 15 or more days later (30 days for a revaluation) to give the property owner an opportunity to appeal the assessment that was revised at Open Book. By doing so, the assessor meets the notice requirements under state law (sec. 70.365, Wis. Stats.).

   If the assessor changes the assessment at the Open Book, the assessor does not need to provide additional notice when the property owner waives the right (by submitting a form prescribed or approved by DOR) to the notice of the changed assessment in writing. Under this scenario, the assessor is not required to give an additional 15- or 30-day notice; and the BOR does not have to be kept open longer than otherwise needed.



2. Does the property owner always need to provide an estimate of the length of time it will take them to present at the hearing?
   
   

   Yes. Under state law (sec. 70.47(7)(ad), Wis. Stats.), a property owner must provide this information - "...and the person's reasonable estimate of the length of time that the hearing will take."



3. If the property owner is not present when the BOR schedules their hearing, how should the BOR notify the owner of the hearing?
   
   

   State law does not specify the type of notice, but does require the BOR to provide it at least 48 hours before hearing the objection. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) recommends the BOR provide notice by first class mail, with an affidavit of mailing. DOR also recommends mailing the notice at least five days before the hearing, which would allow for the mandatory 48-hour notice plus another three days for mail delivery.



4. Does the law allow an assessor to hold an Open Book for more than one district at a time?
   
   

   No. This is not allowed. Holding multiple district Open Books at the same time would require a municipality to remove its assessment records and would require property owners to travel to another municipality for their Open Book.

   Note: State law requires seven days between the end of Open Book (sec. 70.45, Wis. Stats.) and the start of the BOR (sec. 70.47, Wis. Stats.).



5. If the assessment roll is not complete, should the assessor be present at the BOR meeting scheduled within the first 45 days of the fourth Monday of April?
   
   

   Yes. The assessor must be present at the meeting held during the first 45 days following the fourth Monday of April. If the assessment roll is not complete, the assessor must attend to inform the BOR when the roll will be completed.



6. Does the BOR provide written notice of determination to the property owner appealing the assessment?
   
   

   Yes. Written notice of determination is mandatory and must be served by personal delivery or by certified mail (return receipt requested). The state-prescribed Notice of Board of Review (PR-302) includes the amount of the assessment as finalized by the BOR and the required explanation of appeal rights.



7. Since a clerk must physically mail the determination notices, does the BOR need to adjourn to another day if the post office is closed when the BOR concludes its business?
   
   

   Yes. Under state law, the notices must be delivered or mailed before the BOR's final adjournment. While it is cumbersome to adjourn the BOR and reconvene after the notices are mailed, it is the required procedure.

Questions?

Contact us at bapdor@wisconsin.gov.