ASSESSMENT BOARD HEARS TAX GRIPES

BENTON -- Scott County citizens had a chance to air their grievances about tax assessments Thursday.

The Scott County Board of Equalization met to discuss questions about alleged unfair tax assessments.

Board members included the county commissioners, county assessor, surveyor and clerk.

State regulations say the board must meet shortly after new tax assessment values are mailed to residents, County Clerk Rita Milam said.

Only one business protested the assessor's rate increase. Coach House Inn, a motel in Sikeston, was displeased with the increase.

The motel was valued at $2 million and assessed at $658,400 for 1995. Previous assessment figures were $384,000, based on a market value of $1.2 million for 1993.

Pete Burns, attorney for the motel, said the assessed value is too high. In 1987, the motel also protested the assessed value of the property.

Assessment cycles are evaluated every two years, said Mark Hensley, chief appraiser for Scott County.

The $1.2 million figure does not represent true market value, Hensley said.

"When you're valuing motels, the technique in appraisal is market value," he said.

Hensley said he would consider basing the values on income, because the motel is a business.

Milam said the county's new figures would have to be submitted to the state soon.

"I'd hate to hold up the whole county for one piece of property," she said.

The board is scheduled to meet again Tuesday during the regular county commission meeting.