WisPolitics.com: DOR now moving in favor of towns-based assessment system

DOR executive assistant Linda Barth said the "assessment modernization" plan would still meet the goal of reducing the number of assessment districts throughout the state, and also provide consistent property valuation standards statewide.

"We're going to go with more of a consortium model, where towns can pull together in their own consortiums and try to achieve some economy of scale in their assessment services," she said.

Barth said the plan and decision to drop the county-level model grew out of feedback from town hall meetings across the state. The revamped proposal will maintain the original plan's recommendation to eliminate the state-level equalization process and bring all property assessments to full-market value, Barth said.

Barth said though time is growing short in the legislative session, the DOR is hoping to get a bill drafted and in front of the Legislature before the body adjourns for the year.

article first appeared in a WisPolitics.com subscriber product on Feb. 5. For a free trial of the service,  contact: greer@wispolitics.com