Altoona Board of Review Meeting - July 29, 2025

The City of Altoona Board of Review met Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at Altoona City Hall, 1303 Lynn Avenue, Altoona, Wisconsin, to review and examine the 2025 assessment roll. Chairperson Matthew Beeron presided, with Mayor Brendan Pratt and members Dale Stewart and Timothy Lima present; Bruce Thielen and Susan Rowe were absent. The board confirmed statutory notices, swore in the assessor, reviewed assessment data, heard one public comment, and adjourned at 7:02 p.m.

Procedural Matters

• The City Clerk reported that open meeting notices were posted and published on May 15, after the initial Board of Review meeting in May was adjourned to July 29.
• The board verified the city ordinance protecting the confidentiality of income and expense information provided to the assessor under state law: Chapter 2.44 of the Altoona Municipal Code.
• The board confirmed Matthew Beeron as chairperson and Timothy Lima as vice-chairperson, and confirmed that required assessor training was completed by board members and the deputy clerk, effective July 15 and valid for two years.
• The assessment roll and assessor's affidavit were received.

Assessor's Oath and Annual Assessment Report

• Assessor Megan Bickford of Accurate Appraisal was sworn in.
• She reported an overall assessment ratio of 91.17, visits to 143 parcels, review of 403 permits, 258 total sales, and 165 usable residential sales.
• During open book, there were 15 resident interactions and 17 commercial interactions.
• She described 2025 as a maintenance year and said the city will move to an interim market update in 2026.
• She stated there were no errors in the assessment roll as presented, with one change made after the roll was printed and all totals updated.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Toy, owner of the River Ridge property off Woodman Drive and Blazing Star, appeared without having filed the required appeal information in advance. He believed his assessment should be lower than the waiver value based on the cost approach for 2024 taxes.
• Toy said he did not realize the Board of Review was meeting that evening and acknowledged submitting his information late. Board members explained that appeal information was required about 48 hours before the meeting and that they had no written facts to review.
• Board members also noted that open book had been held July 10 and that there was ample time to submit the appeal paperwork.
• The assessor noted she had discussed the property with Toy during open book, the assessment office had adjusted the value, and Toy signed a waiver approving the new value; the assessor received the signed waiver six days earlier.
• Because the necessary appeal information was not submitted on time, the board did not hold a formal objection hearing on Toy's request.
• The assessor offered to review updated income and expense information for the property in 2026 as part of the interim market update, since the property has stabilized, and advised submitting information in January.
• Toy provided property context: the 55-unit apartment building is about 95 percent occupied, one 1,650-square-foot commercial space remains vacant, the four upstairs apartments are full, and Edward Jones leases the other commercial space.

Board Review and Statutory Duties

• The board reviewed the assessment roll and performed its statutory duties, and no discrepancies were raised.
• No additional Board of Review dates were required.

Key Outcomes

• No formal action was taken on Tom Toy's requested assessment change because the appeal information was not filed within the required timeline.
• The assessor committed to considering updated income and expense data for the River Ridge property during the 2026 interim market update.
• The board determined that no further Board of Review meetings were necessary.
• A motion to adjourn carried by voice vote, all in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m.