Record challenges to 2020 assessments now headed to court. By Jeramey Jannene - Mar 15th, 2021 07:20 pm //end headline wrapper ?>BMO Tower at 790 N. Water St. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.
Milwaukee’s 2020 assessment process generated a record number of appeals. So many that the city suspended the process for 2021.
Almost a year later, a record dollar value of challenges remains. The Common Council’s Judiciary & Legislation Committee recommended Monday to allow 94 unresolved claims, representing $876 million in city-assessed value, to go to court.
The city received 5,592 appeals in 2020. The overwhelming majority of claims came from single-family homeowners representing themselves and arguing over changes that would result in a property tax bill changing by a few hundred dollars. The Assessor’s Office and Board of Review resolved those claims, either adjusting the assessed values or denying the claim.