A significant number of prominent commercial property owners in Broward County have filed lawsuits against Property Appraiser Marty Kiar, challenging the 2024 property assessments. The plaintiffs allege that Kiar’s office has inaccurately calculated market and assessed values, leading to substantially higher property tax bills for some of the county’s most valuable hotels, office buildings, and retail centers.
Key Takeaways
- Over three dozen owners of major commercial properties are suing Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar.
- The lawsuits claim improper calculation of market and assessed values, resulting in inflated tax bills.
- Challenged properties include well-known hotels, office towers, and retail complexes across Broward County.
- The litigation timing is linked to the certification of the tax roll, with a 60-day window for appeals.
Legal Challenges Mount Against Appraiser’s Valuations
The lawsuits, filed in Broward County Circuit Court between November and December, target the methodology used by Kiar’s office to determine the value of high-profile commercial real estate assets. These properties span various sectors, including hospitality, gaming, Class A offices, and regional retail spaces. The core allegation is that the appraiser’s methods overstate the real market value, consequently increasing property taxes for the owners.
Mila Schwartzreich, general counsel for the Broward property appraiser, noted that the timing of these filings is typical, adhering to a strict 60-day window after the value adjustment board certifies the tax rolls. She also pointed out that Broward County, despite processing a large volume of parcels, sees relatively fewer assessments go to court compared to other Florida counties like Miami-Dade.
Notable Plaintiffs and Properties
Among the prominent entities suing Kiar’s office are:
- Trinity Investments and Credit Suisse: Owners of the Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood, valued at $589.9 million for 2024, with taxes amounting to approximately $12.3 million.
- Brookfield: An affiliate of the New York-based firm owns the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, assessed at $139.9 million, incurring $2.6 million in property taxes.
- Galleria Fort Lauderdale Joint Venture: This partnership, including entities like GFO Investments and InSite Group, is challenging the valuation of the Galleria Fort Lauderdale mall, assessed at $74.3 million, with taxes of $101,215.
- The Stronach Group: An affiliate owns Gulfstream Park, a gambling, retail, and entertainment site valued at $85.7 million, with taxes around $1.3 million.
- Stiles Corporation: The development firm owns the AutoNation office building, assessed at $72.8 million, with property taxes of $1.4 million.
Most of these plaintiffs are represented by Samuel Brandan Lynch of the law firm Lowndes.
Sources
- Property Owners Sue Broward Appraiser Over Assessments, The Real Deal.