OTTAWA — Outgoing county appraiser Steve Brown said his office tries to ensure that every property taxpayer is treated fairly. To do that, Brown’s appraisals must be close to what the properties are worth on the real estate market. Over the years, the Franklin County Appraiser’s office has done a good job, he said. To meet state standards, county appraisers must come within 90 to 110 percent of the average of actual property sales. Over the years, Brown said his office has been at about 95 percent; this year residential figures are 99 percent and commercial figures are slightly below that. Brown retires next Tuesday and will be succeeded by Osawatomie mayor Philip Dudley, a former Johnson County appraiser.
