Lakefront Reappraisal: Codington County Appraisers Return to the Shoreline

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - As the spring thaw takes hold, residents along the lakefront can expect to see county officials back in their neighborhoods. During the April 14, 2026, meeting of the Codington County Board of Commissioners, Director of Equalization Shawna Constant announced that appraisers are preparing to resume field inspections for lake properties.

Constant reported that the department’s appraisers will be “starting back up at the lake this month or next depending on weather”.

The initiative is part of a multi-year effort to ensure property valuations remain accurate and equitable. To ensure nothing is missed, Constant noted that the field teams will take a comprehensive approach:

·         They will first “check places they went last year” to ensure data is current.

·         They will then move toward “getting the ones they didn’t get done” during previous cycles.

·         The ultimate objective for the department is clear: they “should complete the lake this year”.

Balancing Growth with Taxpayer Protection

While physical inspections are a primary focus, the Director of Equalization also highlighted the department’s broader fiscal goal. Constant informed the Board that her office is actively “working on not to increase 3% total countywide to owner-occupied property”. This target serves as a safeguard for residents against sharp, unexpected spikes in their property tax assessments, even as market values fluctuate.

Tight Deadlines and Administrative Hurdles

Beyond field inspections, the Equalization office is currently navigating a period of high-intensity administrative work. Constant reminded the Board that the official “end of year is Nov. 1st” for assessment purposes.

In the immediate term, office staff is prioritizing several key technical tasks:

·         Processing “sales splits” to reflect divided property interests.

·         Managing property “transfers” and new “plats” resulting from recent development.

·         Preparing for a critical state-mandated milestone, as the “first ½ of sales need to be sent into State by end of May”.

As these deadlines approach, the department will balance its time between the data-heavy work in the office and the physical inspections required to reach its goal of a fully appraised lakefront by the end of the 2026 calendar year.