Winklepleck addresses property tax valuations
Solutions North Bank President/ CEO Dale Winklepleck met with the Rooks County Commissioners on Tuesday, April 11th, to discuss with them the recent property tax valuation increases sent out to the taxpayers by the county appraiser. Winklepleck stated that he was not there representing the bank or himself; however, he was there representing the taxpayer of Rooks County. He further stated that he believed the Rooks County Appraiser had gone rogue and was causing significant damage to Rooks County and the residents with the prodigious increase in valuations.
First, Winklepleck presented information for the commissioners about the cost of the average home sale in Rooks County, which is $92,504.00. He showed the sale price and interest rates, which have increased significantly in the past year. He made the point that the increase in interest rates negatively impacts people’s cash flow since wages do not go up accordingly with interest rate hikes or inflation. In addition, Winklepleck informed the commissioners that the average salary of a single person in Rooks County is $28,503.00 and $51,362.00 for a family. Cash flows are tight for residents in Rooks County, with over 50 percent of students in USD 271 being on reduced or free lunches. Winklepleck is concerned that the very aggressive approach taken by the Rooks County Appraiser over the past few years is going to negatively impact Rooks County in the future. He doesn’t want to see people leave Stockton or not move to Stockton or the County due to the high taxes.
Winklepleck said the county appraiser told him she must follow state statutes, so he read all of them.
His question to the commissioners is, are we following them? He feels the appraiser is reading too much into some of the statutes. He then presented the commissioners with a spreadsheet that had a breakdown of many of the taxes and appraised values of the banks’ buildings in Rooks County, Graham County, Trego County, and Norton County. He asked why Rooks County’s appraisals are so high. When looking at his spreadsheet of the other counties, the increases are minimal as compared to Rooks County. He asked why the other county valuations aren’t going up like Rooks County’s have if they are following the same statutes. Solutions North Bank’s building in Trego County appraises at $18.75 a square foot compared to $82.67 a square foot in Rooks County. Furthermore, the building in Trego County is 2,000 square feet larger. The bank’s property taxes in Rooks County are triple those in Trego and Norton Counties.
Also, from those he has talked to, the increases have not been consistent with taxes going up from next to nothing, to over 60%. He asked about the correlation of values and how she justifies them. He feels the County is headed in the wrong direction and it has to be addressed now.
Winklepleck stated he had visited with the county appraiser about the bank’s property tax, noting that it had increased almost $200,000.00 from the 2022 year to a total of $563,690.00. Winklepleck said he talked to the appraiser about his taxes this year and last year. And after talking to her this year, she dropped the taxes $100,000.00. He doesn’t understand how she could drop it that quickly without any rhyme or reason, though it still makes his tax increase up $100,000.00 for the 2022 year. She also lowered the taxes on his house appraisal, and he saw zero validity on how she came up with the numbers.
In summary, Winklepleck said he loves Stockton and Rooks County; however, people will not come here with the huge shift in the taxes in the last few years. He also doesn’t see why anyone would build anything new until this is addressed. He asked why the commissioners are allowing this one person to make all of the decisions, as it limits our growth potential. Winklepleck stated, “I think you have a problem, and it is the county appraiser. She needs to be held responsible and is not doing her job.”
Rick Waters was next on the agenda and informed the commissioners that he must burn, spray and plant 90 acres of his CRP land within 30 days or he will lose his contract.
He has called the Sheriff’s Department about burning it but was told he cannot since the County is in a red flag warning.
Commissioner John Ruder said he would contact the sheriff’s office about the request.
Kelly Muir with the Rooks County Fair Board was at the meeting to ask about the special event insurance for the upcoming Demo Derby, Spring Show, and the Fair. The commissioners will get the insurance in place for the events.
Muir informed the commissioners that the Board is redoing the hail damage claims on the roofs of the fairground buildings. He also noted that the new heating and air conditioning unit has been installed in the 4-H building.
The Fair Board is getting bids for a new kitchen, bathroom, and office remodel in the 4-H building. They are also working on the lighting at the racetrack.
A Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center representative was at the meeting to request monetary support from the County for their organization. After giving a presentation of what their organization does and how many people in Rooks County they helped the previous year, the commissioners said they will consider the request when they work on the County budget later this year.
County employee Denise Murchie was at the meeting to finalize the Courthouse Centennial Celebration with the commissioners. She asked Ruder if he would give the Welcome and if the offices could be closed for the program, which was approved. Murchie will provide a cleaning list to custodian Zach Brown to do before the event.
Commissioner Kayla Hilbrink began her report by stating that a correctional facility crew had been cleaning up along Highway 183. The golf course road has been bladed in anticipation of the upcoming tournaments and golf season.
She has received a few calls about tax valuations. Commissioner Tim Berland said it had been a quiet week with no calls.
He will check with road and bridge supervisor Rich Bouchey about the water trucks to see when they will be ready for use.
At the request of Gail and Dianna Strutt, the commissioners held a thirty-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel.
There was no further discussion when they returned to the open meeting.
Randy Riffel was at the meeting to talk to the commissioners about the condition of the roads near his county area. He asked that the section men stop bringing up the weeds and dirt from the ditches on the rock roads. They are tearing up the ditches and narrowing the roads.
The commissioners spent the remainder of the morning reviewing and signing vouchers.
