Appraisal process delayed, Village Board unhappy

By Dave Fidlin

Correspondent

As a village-wide re-evaluation effort rounds the bend in Waterford, the head of a consulting appraisal firm has been put on the hot seat after asking for a deadline extension.

The village’s existing contract with Associated Appraisal states all work is to be completed by Sept. 30.

But Mark Brown, executive director of project management, came before the Village Board on Sept. 14 and asked to have the deadline pushed out.

After a robust round of critiquing and finger wagging, the board, on a 5-2 vote, agreed to extend the project completion out two weeks, with an anticipated completion date of Oct. 16.

Disapproval of the need for the extension, though, was clear.

“You made a fool out of us – at least you did of me,” Trustee Don Houston said. “I feel like there have been some false promises made.”

Trustees Tom Christensen and Ron Kluth voted against the plan to extend the deadline.

The Board of Review will meet in November to hear from residents contesting the appraisals.

As part of the deadline extension, Associated Appraisal will fund the cost printing a flier that will be mailed to all residents in late September. Additionally, the company faces the prospect of forfeiting 10 percent of the total compensation amount if the project is not wrapped by the amended date.

A revised contract will be drawn up to reflect the changes, which Brown said he was amenable to incorporating within the document.

Several board members expressed disappointment in Associated Appraisal’s extension request and stated they have received concerns and complaints from residents about the overall re-evaluation process, which includes inspecting individual properties.

Throughout the discussion this week, many board members said they felt communication has been inadequate. To remedy the situation, Brown has pledged to have a weekly phone conference each Monday with Village Administrator Rebecca Ewald and provide updates on the status of the project.

From a visibility standpoint, Village President Tom Roanhouse said he has not witnessed many field workers traverse the community. Brown has suggested the company employs several professionals who have been handling this task.

“If a lot of work was happening behind the scenes, that should’ve been shared with us,” Roanhouse said to Brown. “You put us in a very precarious position.”

Roanhouse led the effort to include a penalty clause if Brown and Associated Appraisal do not make good on their promise to have the entire project in the can by Oct. 16. At the same time, Roanhouse said he would like to continue doing business with the contracted firm.

“I don’t want to start the wheel all over again,” he said. “But I think we have to agree to some penalties if this isn’t done by the time (Associated Appraisal has) guaranteed.”

For his part, Brown said the company has been methodical about its appraisal process.

“We are trying to be empathetic to residents because we know this is a sensitive process,” Brown said. “All along, we’ve wanted this process to go as smoothly as possible.”