Archive for category: General Information

By Charles Young, Manager at Swartz and Associates

For the past 25 years, the Johnson County, Kansas Appraiser’s office has enjoyed remarkable stability with only two head County Appraisers at the helm. Paul Welcome’s leadership was instrumental until his retirement in 2020, after which Beau Boisvert took the position and continued to lead the department with the goal of assessing property values in a fair and equitable manner. Now, as Beau steps into his retirement, the position stands vacant as we head into the 2025 reappraisal year.

What will happen as the 2025 assessed values are issued in Johnson County?

At Swartz + Associates, Inc. (SAI), we anticipate some changes will occur within the department but are confident that the appraiser’s office staff will continue to assess equitably and accurately. Of course, there are different methodologies that can be used to value properties, and that’s where SAI comes in to review the assessments and determine if there are factors that could be presented to the appraiser.

We believe certain sectors of the commercial market – such as multi-family housing, industrial, hotel, and retail spaces – will remain strong, with assessments likely to raise. However, the office sector may continue to be flat or decline, thus assessments could or should likely stay flat or decrease. The residential market within Johnson County is likely to stay strong as real estate sales are still at a good pace which means it is probable that many residential owners will see increases in their assessed values.

Notice of Appraised Values

With Johnson County’s 2025 proposed budget of $1.83 billion, the highest in the state of Kansas, these developments are more important than ever. In mid-to-late February, over 240,000 Notice of Appraised Values will be sent to property owners, and they will have a 30-day window to appeal their assessments. After an appeal is filed, an informal meeting occurs with the Appraiser’s office where evidence can be presented by the property owner or their representative. In many cases, the appraiser’s office will reduce the value if evidence is provided to support a reduction. If there is no agreement, the appeal can be pursued through Small Claims or Regular Division of the Board of Tax Appeals (BOTA).

It’s critical to have an expert to help understand and present valuation details to be successful in the appeals process. At SAI, we have that expertise and would be happy to help you. We work diligently to cultivate and maintain professional working relationships with the Johnson County Appraiser’s office as well as many other appraiser’s offices around the Country. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with the new County Appraiser once that position is filled.

Want to know more? Give us a call!

By Deb Bartnett, Client Research Specialist at Swartz and Associates

Cheers to a Fantastic Year! What a way to celebrate the completion of a great year at a local Kansas City Gem. Swartz + Associates, Inc. (SAI) wrapped up an eventful and successful 2024 with a fabulous company party. It was a busy year adding many new clients, appealing properties, and finalizing outstanding appeals. Our team’s dedication and hard work did not go unnoticed.

In recognition of our achievements, Don treated us to a fun-filled evening at one of Kansas City’s iconic landmarks – J. Rieger & Co Distillery. It was a perfect way to toast our collective successes and to kick off our excitement for the year ahead. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind and overlook our accomplishments. It was refreshing to be treated to a celebration of a fantastic 2024 and to enjoy time with our coworkers (and a few spouses) in a laid-back and fun setting.

The J. Rieger Story

We chose J. Rieger & Co. Distillery for our celebration because it’s a success story in itself.

Founded in 1887, the distillery was shut down during Prohibition but was reborn in 2014 in Kansas City’s Electric Park District. The vibe is both lively and comfortable, and the distillery even features a 40-foot slide – the coolest way to exit a bar! J. Rieger offers a wide range of delicious cocktails made with their own spirits, along with incredible food. If you’re ever in Kansas City, be sure to check it out.

The SAI Story

As for SAI, we had a lot to celebrate. In 2024, we obtained 50 new clients, reviewed and analyzed nearly 2,500 properties, appealed 300+ properties, resolved over 350 appeals with successful reductions for our clients, performed 20 appraisals, and processed over 200 business personal property declarations. Our success wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our entire team, from Don to our marketing guys, analysts, and Ops group. We are fortunate to work for a company that recognizes our hard work and acknowledges our contributions.

Here’s to continued achievements in 2025 and beyond!

By Gary A. Stone, ASA, Manager at Swartz and Associates

This is my first blog post! As an employee of Swartz + Associates, I have been asked to do many things. I cannot say blogging would be one of them when I first joined Don Swartz’s team in 2005. I am one of three people that volunteered for this task. I cannot speak for the others who are blogging this month, but it seems rather daunting to step out of my comfort zone and share my thoughts.

I consider myself an extroverted introvert. I do enjoy socializing, but I recharge when I’m alone. I am also a private person. In spite of that, I also have a desire to be “known”. I think we all have this dichotomy within our personalities with varying degrees. One way we become “known” is by networking. Networking is a business buzzword that that I think is ultimately all about making friends.

Networking at the RSNA Conference

This month, I had the opportunity to make two new friends, Alan Moretti of Radiology Oncology Systems and Ian Schnurbusch of Mindray Imaging. I met both gentlemen in person at the RSNA (Radiology Society of North America) 2024 conference in Chicago.

Alan Moretti

I included “in person” because it was Alan that invited me to the conference. The invitation came when he and I were speaking on the telephone in November. The conversation came about because I was conducting research for an equipment appraisal for a local radiology group. Alan has decades of experience in the medical industry. Some of his roles include working for a major medical system in Chicago, a business owner, a consultant and many others throughout his career. His invitation was unexpected and I was so grateful to receive it.

Ian Schnurbusch

While I was walking the floor at the convention, I also met a young man, Ian Schnurbusch. Why this chance meeting stood out to me is  that we had so much in common. These include attending Southeast Missouri State University and being members of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. However, the thing that was uncanny is his family is from the same area of Missouri as my family. My maternal grandfather’s sister married into the Schnurbusch family. I’m not saying we are long lost relatives… But it was fun to have so much in common with someone I met at a conference in Chicago with thousands of people attending from all over the world. What are the odds?

It’s all about making friends.

I think when it comes to networking, many of us make it more complicated than necessary. It’s true that some folks do it with an agenda. I think we all do  that to a degree. When done with humility and sincerity, it’s simply about making friends. I don’t know if I will be able to help them in the future. I just know that I’m a little bit richer for meeting them. And I think that is a great way to approach business networking opportunities.

By Katy True, Operations Manager at Swartz and Associates

One of the many things I appreciate about the Swartz + Associates, Inc. office is the fantastic location. We are on College Boulevard, right in the heart of Johnson County, KS, next to the Overland Park Convention Center (OPCC). This prime spot comes with a wonderful perk: we receive coveted parking passes for the KC Holiday Boutique held at the OPCC!

If you weren’t aware, the KC Holiday Boutique is a festive marketplace where attendees can shop for holiday gifts, see works from local artisans, experience inspiring holiday displays, and much more! The KC Holiday Boutique has been a tradition since 2011 where it is estimated more than 45,000 people explore over 350 vendors of which about 60% are local. It’s a shopping experience for sure, but there are tons of things to do for family and friends. And yes, since thousands of people show up for this event, parking can be a real problem.

A highlight for me is taking the Friday afternoon off during the KC Holiday Boutique to enjoy shopping with my friends. This year’s parking pass was hot pink. Thanks to our parking pass, we didn’t have to worry about our car being towed. This might seem trivial, but just ask the shoppers who came out with loads of Christmas gifts, bags hanging on both arms, only to see that their car is no longer where they left it!!! Yikes. I understand why it might be tempting to park in our lot – it is conveniently close to the OPCC and often has plenty of open spaces. However, throughout the day, tow trucks were continuously circling the area, and unfortunately, several cars were towed.

What truly makes the KC Holiday Boutique special is the lively atmosphere. The energy of the crowd, eager to explore the latest trends, discover unique gifts, and enjoy the holiday spirit. For me, one of the best parts is spending quality time with friends as we navigate the bustling aisles, share laughs, and make memories. The blend of lively crowds, festive decorations, and the change to support local businesses creates a wonderful experience that I look forward to every year. Being located right next to the Overland Park Convention Center is just another perk of working at Swartz + Associates!

By Donald Swartz, President

It has been quite a month since my October blog and bear with me, I promise this will all come together!

• In the past two weeks, my mother turned 86 and my father turned 93. They have been such important people in my life and have helped me grow personally and professionally. I would like to think they are responsible for my entrepreneurial spirit and my keen interest in continually connecting with people and the importance of friends and relationships.
• Also, within the past month, we lost my father’s sister, Kay Swartz Bucksbaum. Aunt Kay was definitely the matriarch of the family and a true powerhouse in terms of community and civic involvement, the greater good and most importantly, the strong family bonds.  To get an idea of the accomplishments in her life, please click on this link – it is worth the read.
• Karen and I recently celebrated our 34^th wedding anniversary and saying “I do” to each other. How did we celebrate? We attended a wedding for the son of two of our very close friends (Karen and I actually met each other at their engagement party 😊). Talk about full circle???

Because we were at the wedding weekend, David Swartz and Keith Sherman attended a Marcus Evans conference in Orlando for the company. They spent a few days meeting with various tax directors and C-level employees who met with us specifically to discuss tax issues they are looking to address. I won’t go too much into the details as they have also posted about the event on LinkedIn recently. You may follow them on LinkedIn to learn more about the Tax Summit.

David Swartz: linkedin.com/in/david-swartz-chfc%C2%AE-2881626a/
Keith Sherman: linkedin.com/in/keithsherman/

“I don’t know what I don’t know”

This is a phrase they heard quite often from their meetings, and I’ve heard this exact verbiage countless times over the years. By offering possible solutions to their real and business personal property needs, we are confident we can provide the answers to “I don’t know what I don’t know”. One scheduled meeting with a Vice President of Corporate Tax, indicated we could discuss property tax issues with their Senior Indirect Tax Analyst. This analyst turned out to be someone we had previously worked with for over 15 years before moving to their current position with a different company. We believe there is a strong possibility of earning this new client and their business. You don’t know what you don’t know!!!

Okay, okay – How do we wrap this together??

EASY – Family First, always!! Take care of family and friends and things tend to work themselves out. We celebrate birthdays; we mourn the loss of loved ones; we participate in celebrations with dear friends (which in this case, allowed my brother and Keith to connect and expand business relationships). Transparency and vulnerability build trust and relationships – both personal and professional. Never has it been so apparent than the last 30 days.

Wishing everyone a peaceful and Happy Thanksgiving. Be sure to give thanks for the people that you get to celebrate the holidays with. I know I will!