Apartment complex says appraisals are unfair

A Jefferson County apartment complex owner filed suit against the appraisal district for alleged unfair appraisal practices.

Breakwater Bay (Breakwater Bay Apartments) filed a complaint Sept. 18 in Jefferson County District Court against the Jefferson County Appraisal District, citing unfair appraisal practices.

According to the complaint, in May the plaintiff learned the appraisal district had appraised its property for taxing units in Jefferson County. The district appraised the value of the property at $12.28 million, an amount in excess of the appraised value required by law, the suit states.

The plaintiff filed a timely protest of the appraisal decision to the review board and the value was lowered to $10.49 million, an amount still in excess of the appraised value required by law, according to the suit. The plaintiff alleges the amount is in excess of fair market value and is unlawful, causing plaintiff to pay excessive property taxes.

Breakwater Bay asks the court to set a fair market value on the property. The plaintiff seeks reimbursement for court costs and attorney fees and further relief as the court sees fit.

The plaintiff is represented by attorneys Daniel P. Donovan and Amy Reilly Sallusti of Geary, Porter and Donovan in Addison.

Jefferson County District Court case number: D-196128