701—71.12 (441) Determination of aggregate actual values.
	 71.12(1) Agricultural real estate.
	  a.   	 Use of income capitalization study. The equalized valuation of agricultural realty shall be based upon its productivity and net earning capacity and shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this subrule. Data used shall pertain to crops harvested during the five-year period ending with the calendar year in which assessments were last equalized. The equalized valuation of agricultural realty shall be determined for each county as follows:
	 (1) 	 Computation of county acres. This information shall be obtained from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.
	  1. 	 Total acres in farms: Total acreage used for agricultural purposes.
	  2. 	 Corn acres: Sum of corn acres harvested including silage, popcorn and acres planted for sorghum.
	  3. 	 Oats and wheat acres: Sum of oats and wheat acres harvested.
	  4. 	 Soybean acres: Soybean acres harvested.
	  5. 	 Hay acres: All hay acres harvested.
	  6. 	 Pasture acres: All pasture acres. Total pasture acres shall be determined by multiplying the total acres in farms reported by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service by the percentage which total pasture land as reported in the most recent U.S. Census of Agriculture bears to the total acreage in farmland also reported in the most recent U.S. Census of Agriculture. The amount of tillable and nontillable pasture acres shall be determined as follows:

1.	From the most recent U.S. Census of Agriculture obtain the following:	 	 	
 	Cropland used only for pasture and grazing	______	acres	
 	Woodland pasture	______	acres	
 	Pasture land and rangeland (other than cropland and woodland pasture)	______	acres	
 	TOTAL PASTURE LAND (total of above):	______	acres	
 	 	 	 	
2.	Determine what percentage of the total pasture land is cropland used only for pasture:	______	%	
 	 	 	 	
3.	Apply the percentage in “2” above to the 5-year average total acres of pasture as determined above to determine the pasture acres to be classified as tillable pasture. The remainder of the 5-year average shall be classified as nontillable pasture land.	______	acres	
	  7. 	 Government programs: Determine the 5-year average acres participating in applicable government programs. Obtain data from the USDA Farm Service Agency, including but not limited to acreage devoted to the Payment-In-Kind (PIK), diverted and deficiency programs.
	  8. 	 Other acres: The difference between the total acreage for land uses listed above and the total of all land in farms. Add the total of the corn, oats, soybeans, hay, tillable and nontillable pasture and diverted acres. Subtract this total from total acres in farms. The residual is classified as other acres.
	 (2) 	 Computation of county yields. This information shall be obtained for each county from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.
	  1. 	 Corn yield (including silage): Number of bushels of corn harvested for grain per acre.
	  2. 	 Oat yield (including wheat): Number of bushels of oats harvested per acre.
	  3. 	 Soybean yield: Number of bushels per acre harvested.
	  4. 	 Hay yield in tons: Number of tons per acre harvested.
	 (3) 	 Computation of county gross income.
	  1. 	 Corn: One-half of the 5-year average production multiplied by the 5-year average price received for corn.
	  2. 	 Silage: One-half of the 5-year average number of acres devoted to the production of silage multiplied by the 5-year average production per acre for corn. The amount of production so determined shall be added to the 5-year average production for corn and included in the determination of the gross income for corn.
	  3. 	 Soybeans: One-half of the 5-year average production multiplied by the 5-year average price received.
	  4. 	 Oats: One-half of the 5-year average production of oats and wheat multiplied by the 5-year average price received for oats.
	  5. 	 Price adjustment: For corn, soybeans, hay, and oats, the prices used shall be as obtained from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service and shall be adjusted to reflect any individual county price conditions prior to the 2007 crop year. For the 2007 crop year and later, the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service district prices shall be used and shall be adjusted to reflect any individual county price conditions.
	  6. 	 Government programs: Gross income shall be one-half of the 5-year average amount of cash payments or equivalent (such as PIK bushels) including but not limited to diverted, deficiency and PIK programs as reported by the USDA Farm Service Agency.
	  7. 	 Hay: Gross income shall be a cash rent amount determined by multiplying the 5-year average number of acres devoted to hay by the product obtained by multiplying one-fourth of the 5-year average hay yield by the 5-year average price received for all types of hay.
	  8. 	 Tillable pasture: Gross income shall be a cash rent amount determined by multiplying the 5-year average number of acres devoted to tillable pasture by the product obtained in “hay” above.
	  9. 	 Nontillable pasture: Gross income shall be a cash rent amount determined by multiplying the 5-year average number of acres devoted to nontillable pasture by one-half the product obtained in “hay” above.
	  10. 	 Other acres: Income shall be the product of the number of other acres multiplied by 17 percent of the net income per acre for all other land uses.
	 (4) 	 Computation of county production costs. The following data and procedures shall be used to determine specific county production costs.
	  1. 	 Basic average landlord production costs. Landlord production costs for corn, soybeans, oats, diverted acres, hay, tillable pasture, nontillable pasture, fertilizer costs, and facilities’ costs shall be obtained for each year from Iowa State University.
	  2. 	 Production cost adjustment. The production costs for corn, soybeans, oats, and hay are adjusted for each county by multiplying the difference between the 5-year state average yield per acre and the 5-year county average yield per acre by the 5-year average facilities’ costs. If a county’s yield exceeds the state yield, production costs are increased by this amount. If a county’s yield is less than the state yield, production costs are reduced by this amount.
	  3. 	 Fertilizer cost adjustment. The adjustment for fertilizer costs is determined as follows: Multiply the difference between the 5-year state average corn yield per acre and the 5-year county average corn yield per acre obtained from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service by the fertilizer cost amount per bushel determined by dividing the statewide average cost of landlord’s share of fertilizer cost per acre from Iowa State University by the statewide average corn yield per acre to produce the corn fertilizer cost per bushel adjustment. This amount is then multiplied by the 5-year county average corn acres determined in (2) above.
	  4. 	 Expense adjustments. If a county’s 5-year average corn yield is greater than the state 5-year average corn yield, this amount is allowed as an additional expense. If the county’s average is less than the state average, this amount is an expense reduction.
	  5. 	 Liability insurance cost adjustment. The 5-year average per acre cost of obtaining tort liability insurance shall be determined.
	 (5) 	 Computation of county net income. From the total gross income, subtract the total expenses. Divide the resulting total by the total number of acres.
	 (6) 	 Computation of dwelling adjustment factor. The amount determined in (5) above shall be reduced by 10.6 percent.
	 (7) 	 Computation of county tax adjustment. Subtract the 5-year average per acre real estate taxes levied for land and structures including drainage and levee district taxes but excluding those levied against agricultural dwellings from the amount determined in (6) above. Taxes shall be the tax levied for collection during the 5-year period as reported by county auditors, and reduced by the amount of the agricultural land tax credit.
	 (8) 	 Calculation of county valuation per acre. Divide the net income per acre ((7) above) for each county as determined above by the capitalization rate specified in Iowa Code section 441.21. The quotient shall be the actual per acre equalized valuation of agricultural land and structures for the current equalization year.
	  b.   	 Use of other relevant data. The director may also consider other relevant data, including field investigations conducted by representatives of the department of revenue, to determine the level of assessment of agricultural real estate.
	  c.   	 Determination of value. The aggregate actual value of agricultural real estate in each county shall be determined by multiplying the equalized per acre value by the number of acres of agricultural real estate reported on the abstract of assessment for the current year, adjusted where necessary by the results of any field investigations conducted by the department of revenue and any other relevant data available.
	 71.12(2) Residential real estate outside and within incorporated cities.
	  a.   	 Use of assessment/sales ratio study. Basic data shall be that set forth in rule 701—71.10(421) refined by eliminating any sales determined to be abnormal or by adjusting the sales to eliminate the effects of factors which resulted in the sales having been determined to be abnormal. The basic data used shall be the assessment/sales ratio study conducted for sales taking place during the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the equalization order is issued. The director may also supplement the assessment/sales ratio study with appraisals made by department of revenue appraisal personnel for the year immediately preceding the year in which the equalization order is issued. The assessment/sales ratio study including relevant appraisals, if any, shall be used to determine the aggregate actual valuation of residential real estate in each assessing jurisdiction. The director of revenue may consider sales and appraisal data for prior years if it is determined the use of the sales and appraisal data for the year immediately preceding the year in which the equalization order is issued is insufficient to determine market value. If such sales and appraisal data for prior years is used, consideration shall be given for any subsequent changes in either assessed value or market value.
Assessors shall provide any known facts or circumstances regarding reported sales transactions and department appraisals which would indicate abnormal or unusual conditions or reporting discrepancies which would necessitate exclusion or adjustment of sales or appraisals from the determination of aggregate actual values. Assessors shall provide those facts within 45 days of receipt from the department of information concerning sales and appraisal data proposed for assessment/sales ratio and equalization purposes.
	  b.   	 Use of other relevant data. The director may also consider other relevant data, including field investigations conducted by representatives of the department of revenue to determine the level of assessment of residential real estate.
	  c.   	 Equalization appraisal selection procedures for residential real estate. Residential properties to be appraised by department of revenue personnel for use in supplementing the assessment/sales ratio study shall be selected for each jurisdiction in the following manner:
	 (1) 	 The department appraiser assigned to the jurisdiction shall determine a systematic random sequence of numbers equal to the number of appraisals required and document the following steps.
	  1. 	 The department appraiser assigned to the jurisdiction shall compute the interval number by dividing the total number of improved properties in the classification to be sampled by the number of appraisals to be performed.
Example:  In this example, ten appraisals are needed with a total of 1,397 improved residential units. Dividing 1,397 by 10, 139.7 is arrived at, which is rounded down to 139. This is the interval number.
	  2. 	 The selection of the first sequence number shall be accomplished by having an available disinterested person randomly select a number from one through the interval number.
Example:  In this example a number from 1 to 139 is to be selected. The person randomly selected number 20.
	  3. 	 The department appraiser shall develop a systematic sequence of numbers equal to the number of appraisals required. Starting with the randomly selected number previously picked by the disinterested person, add the interval number to this number and to each resulting number until a systematic sequence of numbers is obtained.
Example:  In this example ten appraisals are needed, so a sequence of ten numbers must be developed. Starting with number 20 and adding the interval number of 139 to it, each resulting number provides the following systematic sequence: 20, 159, 298, 437, 576, 715, 854, 993, 1,132, 1,271.
	 (2) 	 Number of improved properties.
County jurisdictions—Put the name of each city or township having improved units in the classification to be sampled into a hat. Draw each one out of the hat and record its name in the order of its draw. Likewise, record the respective number of improved units for each. Then consecutively number all the improved units and document the procedure.
Example:

 	City or
Township	 	Number of Improved
Residential Units	 	Code
Numbers	 	
 	Franklin Twp.	 	57	 	1-57	 	
 	Pleasant View	 	160	 	58-217	 	
 	Jackson Twp.	 	56	 	218-273	 	
 	Johnston	 	300	 	274-573	 	
 	Polk Twp.	 	110	 	574-683	 	
 	Washington Twp.	 	114	 	684-797	 	
 	Maryville	 	306	 	798-1103	 	
 	Camden Twp.	 	110	 	1104-1213	 	
 	Salem	 	184	 	1214-1397	 	
 	Total	 	1,397	 	 	 	
	 (3) 	 Determine the location of the improved properties selected for appraisal and document the procedure.
Example:

City or
Township	 	Number of Improved
Residential Units	 	Code
Numbers	 	Sequence
Number	 	Entry
on Rolls	
Franklin Twp.	 	57	 	1-57	 	20	 	20	
Pleasant View	 	160	 	58-217	 	159	 	102	
Jackson Twp.	 	56	 	218-273	 	 	 	 	
Johnston	 	300	 	274-573	 	298,437	 	25,164	
Polk Twp.	 	110	 	574-683	 	576	 	3	
Washington Twp.	 	114	 	684-797	 	715	 	32	
Maryville	 	306	 	798-1103	 	854,993	 	57,196	
Camden Twp.	 	110	 	1104-1213	 	1132	 	29	
Salem	 	184	 	1214-1397	 	1271	 	58	
Total	 	1,397	 	 	 	 	 	 	
	  1. 	 The department appraiser shall locate the property to be appraised by finding the relationship between the sequence numbers and the code numbers and identify the property.
Example: The first sequence number is 20. Since the improved residential properties in Franklin Township have been assigned code numbers 1 to 57, sequence number 20 is in that location.
To identify this property, examine the Franklin Township assessment roll book and stop at the twentieth improved residential entry.
Document the parcel number, owner’s name, and legal description of this property.
	  2. 	 The department appraiser shall appraise the property selected unless it is ineligible because of any of the following restrictions:
Current year sale
Partial assessment
Prior equalization appraisal
Tax-exempt
Value established by court action
Value is not more than $10,000
Building on leased land
	  3. 	 The department appraiser shall determine a substitute property if the originally selected one is ineligible. In ascending order, select code numbers until an eligible property is found.
Example: If code number 20 is ineligible, use code number 21 as a substitute. If code number 21 is ineligible, use code number 22, etc., until an eligible property is found.
If the procedure described in 71.12(2)“c”(3)“3” moves the substitute property to another city or township, select substitute code numbers in descending order until an eligible property is found.
If the procedure described in the previous paragraph moves the substitute property to a preceding city or township, go back to the procedure of 71.12(2)“c”(3)“3” even if it moves the substitute property to a subsequent city or township.
	  4. 	 Select an alternate property for the originally selected property which also would be eligible. This is necessary because at the time of appraisal the property may be found to be ineligible due to one of the restrictions in 71.12(2)“c”(3)“2.” Alternate properties are selected by using the same procedure described in 71.12(2)“c“(3)“3.”
	  5. 	 Follow procedures 71.12(2)“c”(3), items “1” to “4,” for each of the other originally selected sequence numbers.
	 71.12(3) Commercial real estate.
	  a.   	 Use of assessment/sales ratio study. Basic data shall be that set forth in rule 71.10(421), refined by eliminating any sales determined to be abnormal or by adjusting same to eliminate the effects of factors which resulted in the sales having been determined to be abnormal. The basic data used shall be the assessment/sales ratio study conducted for sales taking place during the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the equalization order is issued. The director may also supplement the assessment/sales ratio study with appraisals made by department of revenue appraisal personnel for the year immediately preceding the year in which the equalization order is issued. The assessment/sales ratio study including relevant appraisals, if any, shall be used to determine the aggregate actual valuation of commercial real estate in each assessing jurisdiction. The director of revenue may consider sales and appraisal data for prior years if it is determined the use of sales and appraisal data for the year immediately preceding the year in which the equalization order is issued is insufficient to determine market value. If such sales and appraisal data for prior years is used, consideration shall be given for any subsequent changes in either assessed value or market value.
	  b.   	 Use of other relevant data. The director may also consider other relevant data, including field investigations conducted by representatives of the department of revenue to determine the level of assessment of commercial real estate. The diverse nature of commercial real estate precludes the use of a countywide or citywide income capitalization study.
Assessors shall provide any known facts or circumstances regarding reported sales transactions and department appraisals which would indicate abnormal or unusual conditions or reporting discrepancies which would necessitate exclusion or adjustment of sales or appraisals from the determination of aggregate actual values. Assessors shall provide those facts within 45 days of receipt from the department of information concerning sales and appraisal data proposed for assessment/sales ratio and equalization purposes.
	  c.   	 Equalization appraisal selection procedures for commercial real estate. Commercial properties to be appraised by department of revenue personnel for use in supplementing the assessment/sales ratio study shall be selected for each jurisdiction in the following manner:
	 (1) 	 The department appraiser assigned to the jurisdiction shall determine a systematic random sequence of numbers equal to the number of appraisals required and document the following steps.
	  1. 	 The department appraiser shall compute the interval number by dividing the total number of improved properties in the classification to be sampled by the number of appraisals to be performed.
Example:  In this example, ten appraisals are needed with a total of 397 improved commercial units. Dividing 397 by 10, 39.7 is arrived at, which is rounded down to 39. This is the interval number.
	  2. 	 The selection of the first sequence number shall be accomplished by having an available disinterested person randomly select a number from one through the interval number.
Example:  In this example a number from 1 to 39 is to be selected. The person randomly selected number 2.
	  3. 	 The department appraiser shall develop a systematic sequence of numbers equal to the number of appraisals required. Starting with the randomly selected number previously picked by the disinterested person, add the interval number to this number and to each resulting number until a systematic sequence of numbers is obtained.
Example:  In this example ten appraisals are needed, so a sequence of ten numbers must be developed. Starting with number 2 and adding the interval number of 39 to it, each resulting number provides the following systematic sequence: 2, 41, 80, 119, 158, 197, 236, 275, 314, 353.
	 (2) 	 Number of improved properties.
	  1. 	 City jurisdictions—Utilizing the assessment book or a computer printout which follows the same order as the assessment book, consecutively number all the improved units and document the procedure.
	  2. 	 County jurisdictions—Put the name of each city or township having improved units in the classification to be sampled into a hat. Draw each one out of the hat and record its name in the order of its draw. Likewise, record the respective number of improved units for each. Then consecutively number all the improved units and document the procedure.
Example:

 	City or
Township	 	Number of Improved
Commercial Units	 	Code
Numbers	 	
 	Franklin Twp.	 	4	 	1-4	 	
 	Pleasant View	 	60	 	5-64	 	
 	Jackson Twp.	 	9	 	65-73	 	
 	Johnston	 	100	 	74-173	 	
 	Polk Twp.	 	10	 	174-183	 	
 	Washington Twp.	 	14	 	184-197	 	
 	Maryville	 	106	 	198-303	 	
 	Camden Twp.	 	10	 	304-313	 	
 	Salem	 	84	 	314-397	 	
 	Total	 	397	 	 	 	
	 (3) 	 The department appraiser shall determine the location of the improved properties selected for appraisal and document the procedure.
Example:

 	City or
Township	 	Number of Improved
Commercial Units	 	Code
Numbers	 	Sequence
Number	 	Entry
on Rolls	 	
 	Franklin Twp.	 	4	 	1-4	 	2	 	2	 	
 	Pleasant View	 	60	 	5-64	 	41	 	37	 	
 	Jackson Twp.	 	9	 	65-73	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Johnston	 	100	 	74-173	 	80,119,158	 	7,46,85	 	
 	Polk Twp.	 	10	 	174-183	 	 	 	 	 	

 	Washington Twp.	 	14	 	184-197	 	197	 	14	 	
 	Maryville	 	106	 	198-303	 	236,275	 	39,78	 	
 	Camden Twp.	 	10	 	304-313	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Salem	 	84	 	314-397	 	314,353	 	1,40	 	
 	Total	 	397	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
	  1. 	 The department appraiser shall locate the property to be appraised by finding the relationship between the sequence numbers and the code numbers and identify the property.
Example:  The first sequence number is 2. Since the improved commercial properties in Franklin Township have been assigned code numbers 1 to 4, sequence number 2 is in that location.
To identify this property, examine the Franklin Township assessment roll book and stop at the second improved commercial entry.
The department appraiser shall document the parcel number, owner’s name, and legal description of this property.
	  2. 	 The department appraiser shall appraise the property selected unless it is ineligible because of any of the following restrictions:
Vacant building
Current year sale
Partial assessment
Prior equalization appraisal
Tax-exempt
Only one portion of a total property unit (example—a parking lot of a grocery store)
Value established by court action
Value is not more than $5,000
Building on leased land
	  3. 	 The department appraiser shall determine a substitute property if the originally selected one is ineligible. In ascending order, select code numbers until an eligible property is found.
Example:  If code number 2 is ineligible, use code number 3 as a substitute. If code number 3 is ineligible, use code number 4, etc., until an eligible property is found.
If the procedure described in 71.12(3)“c”(3)“3” moves the substitute property to a city or township, select substitute code numbers in descending order until an eligible property is found.
If the procedure described in the previous paragraph moves the substitute property to a preceding city or township, go back to the procedure of 71.12(3)“c”(3)“3” even if it moves the substitute property to a subsequent city or township.
	  4. 	 Select an alternate property for the originally selected property which also would be eligible. This is necessary because at the time of appraisal the property may be found to be ineligible due to one of the restrictions in 71.12(3)“c”(3)“2.” Alternate properties are selected by using the same procedure described in 71.12(3)“c”(3)“3.”
	  5. 	 Follow procedures 71.12(3)“c”(3), items “1” to “4,” for each of the other originally selected sequence numbers.
	 71.12(4) Industrial real estate. It is not possible to determine the level of assessment of industrial real estate by using accepted equalization methods. The lack of sales data precludes the use of an assessment/sales ratio study, the diverse nature of industrial real estate precludes the use of a countywide or citywide income capitalization study, and the limited number of industrial properties precludes the use of sample appraisals. The level of assessment of industrial real estate can only be determined by the valuation of individual parcels of industrial real estate. Any attempt to equalize industrial valuations by using accepted equalization methods would create an arbitrary result. However, under the circumstances set forth in Iowa Code subsection 421.17(10), the director may correct any errors in such assessments which are brought to the director’s attention.
	 71.12(5) Personal property. Rescinded IAB 10/25/95, effective 11/29/95.
	 71.12(6) Centrally assessed property. Property assessed by the director of revenue pursuant to Iowa Code chapters 428 and 433 to 438, inclusive, is equalized internally by the director in the making of the assessments. Further, the assessments are equalized with the aggregate valuations of other classes of property as a result of actions taken by the director of revenue pursuant to rule 701—71.11(441).
	 71.12(7) Miscellaneous real estate. Since it is not possible to use accepted equalization methods to determine the level of assessment of mineral rights and interstate railroad and toll bridges, these classes of property shall not be subject to equalization by the director of revenue. However, under the circumstances set forth in Iowa Code section 421.17(10), the director may correct any errors in assessments which are brought to the director’s attention.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 441.21, 441.47, 441.48 and 441.49.
[ARC 7726B, IAB 4/22/09, effective 5/27/09; ARC 9478B, IAB 4/20/11, effective 5/25/11]