Frustrated property owners took their concerns to state lawmakers, as landlords say they could be forced to raise rent on those who can't afford it.
Andy Marsh says not a day goes by during the pandemic that he doesn't help someone who can't pay the rent.
Now he told lawmakers he may have no choice but to raise rent, after the county took another look at what his apartment complexes are valued at for tax purposes.
State senators say something doesn't sound right.
Sen. Curt Friesen said, "The increases we're talking about in valuation -- they shouldn't happen. In a perfect world they wouldn't. Those increases, I don't expect any business to absorb that when they see those big jumps."
The county assessor's office sets valuations.
Assessor Kristi Wold was not invited to the meeting with property owners and Senators Friesen, Steve Halloran, and Dan Quick.
Wold declined an on-camera interview but did speak to NTV. She said she inherited a mess when she took over the office, saying commercial property hadn't been appraised in probably 15-20 years.
She said people don't want to hear the truth, and said commercial property is undervalued. Wold said she has to follow the law and that means raising valuations to reflect market conditions.
Marsh said his properties have gone up from 140 to 200 percent.
"Maybe my properties should be assessed at that. Maybe they shouldn't. But to fix that all in one year, anyone sees a valuation come out of a computer and say gee, this is a big hit, should have been forthright and come out early in the year so we knew this was coming," he said.
Marsh asked lawmakers if there's any way to gradually raise valuations, saying COVID-19 has changed the game.
"No one's property increased in 12 months to the level that's being reflected it happened over time, and to fix that problem in one year is wrong," Marsh said.
Wold said Grand Island has grown, and properties that produce income are worth more, and valuations need to reflect that. She previously stated valuations were determined based on market conditions as of January 1.
Lawmakers suggest there may be systemic issues, although it's not clear what they may be able to do about it.
County commissioners Pam Lancaster and Gary Quandt were among those who met with the senators and property owners.