Judge orders refunds for Nev. property owners

RENO (AP) - A Washoe County judge has ordered property tax refunds be issued to residents of Incline Village and Crystal Bay.

The ruling Tuesday by District Judge Brent Adams came after a state tax appeals board in July upheld a county board's 2006 decision to roll back property values for all homeowners on Lake Tahoe's north shore.

Washoe County Treasurer Bill Berrum said the refunds, covering the 2006-2007 fiscal year for about 8,700 property owners, could total $13 million plus interest.

David Creekman, deputy district attorney, said his office will discuss with county officials an appeal

of Adams' decision and of the Nevada Board of Equalization's decision in July, when his office gets them in writing.

County officials said they will await a written ruling from Adams before deciding whether to pursue an appeal.

Maryanne Ingemanson, leader of the Incline Village tax revolt, said Adams' decision is a victory worth celebrating, but she expects the county to appeal.

Incline Village residents have been protesting their property values for seven years, complaining the county assessor used constantly changing formulas for valuing views of Lake Tahoe, beaches and other factors peculiar to the high-priced real estate at the lake.

Robert McGowan, former county assessor, argued he was within his rights to set rules for valuing those properties. But in December 2006, the Nevada Supreme Court found the rules were unconstitutional because they should have been approved by the state tax commission.