Sockeye Fire Property Assessments

Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assessor Brad Pickett told the Assembly this week that the assessed value of land affected by the Sockeye Fire is at 82 percent of the current sales price or 18 percent less than the sales price. Pickett gave market data on sales and listings in the Willow area, where some 7,220 acres burned last June. Some residents, including nine properties, are appealing their property asessments by the Borough.

"All the indications we have is the assessed value is not too high after the fire. I know this is hard to take. The folks who went through the fire certainly have suffered a loss, and we're not minimizing that. But we are looking at market data and the market data doesn't indicate that we should make any further adjustment," Pickett said.

Kenai and Fairbanks both have more fires than we do. Kenai doesn't adjust land for fire, Pickett said.

Borough Assembly Members Randall Kowalke and Dan Mayfield found it "incomprehensible" that burned land does not lose value.

Mayor Vern Halter asked, "There's no adjustment for pyschological eyesore?" Pickett said if something like that is affecting the market we will certainly adjust for it." The sales data does not indicate that numbers should be adjusted, he said.

Listen to the audio of the conversation here.

For more information, Patty Sullivan, Public Affairs Director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Photo, fireweed regrowth summer 2015, Stefan Hinman/MSB.