Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar is facing a significant legal challenge, with over three dozen owners of prominent commercial properties filing lawsuits. These property owners allege that Kiar’s office improperly calculated market and assessed values for 2024, leading to what they claim are inflated property tax bills.
Key Takeaways
- More than 36 owners of major commercial properties are suing Broward Property Appraiser Marty Kiar.
- The lawsuits allege improper calculation of market and assessed values, resulting in higher tax bills.
- Challenged properties include well-known hotels, office buildings, and retail complexes across Broward County.
- The timing of the lawsuits is tied to a narrow legal window following the certification of the tax roll.
Widespread Litigation Targets Commercial Real Estate Valuations
Numerous lawsuits have been filed in Broward County Circuit Court between November and December, targeting the 2024 property assessments. The plaintiffs represent a diverse range of high-profile commercial real estate assets, including hospitality, gaming, Class A office spaces, and regional retail centers. The core allegation is that the appraiser’s methodologies have overstated the real market value of these properties, consequently increasing their property tax obligations.
Notable Properties and Owners Involved
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, with property taxes around $12.3 million.
- Brookfield: Owner of the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, assessed at $139.9 million, with property taxes of $2.6 million.
- A joint venture including GFO Investments, InSite Group, Atlas Hill Real Estate, and Prime Finance: Owners of Galleria Fort Lauderdale, valued at $74.3 million, with property taxes of $101,215.
- The Stronach Group: Owner of Gulfstream Park, valued at $85.7 million, with property taxes of $1.3 million.
- Stiles Corporation: Owner of the AutoNation office building, valued at $72.8 million, with property taxes of $1.4 million.
Appraiser’s Office Responds to Litigation Wave
Mila Schwartzreich, general counsel for the Broward property appraiser, stated that the timing of these lawsuits is dictated by a strict 60-day legal window after the value adjustment board certifies the tax rolls. She noted that while Broward County processes a large volume of parcels, the number of assessments that proceed to court is relatively low compared to other Florida counties, such as Miami-Dade. Schwartzreich emphasized that litigation waves often align with county certification calendars rather than indicating unusual market shifts or controversies.
Sources
- Property Owners Sue Broward Appraiser Over Assessments, The Real Deal.