In re 2014 Equalization Appeal of Kansas Star Casino

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NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION

No. 116,421

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF KANSAS

In the Matter of the Equalization Appeal of
KANSAS STAR CASINO, L.L.C.
for the Year 2014 in Sumner County, Kansas.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

Appeal from the Board of Tax Appeals. Opinion filed June 8, 2018. Affirmed in part, reversed in
part, and remanded with directions.

Jarrod C. Kieffer, Lynn D. Preheim, and Frank W. Basgall, of Stinson Leonard Street LLP, of
Wichita, for appellant/cross-appellee Kansas Star Casino, L.L.C.

David R. Cooper and Andrew D. Holder, of Fisher, Patterson, Sayler & Smith, L.L.P., of Topeka,
for appellee/cross-appellant Sumner County.

Before POWELL, P.J., MCANANY, J., and HEBERT, S.J.

POWELL, J.: Kansas Star Casino, L.L.C. (Kansas Star) appeals from the ruling by
the Board of Tax Appeals (BOTA) which established a 2014 valuation for ad valorem tax
purposes of $97.6 million for its real property located in Sumner County, Kansas. This is
the companion case to the 2013 tax year property valuation appeal, In re Equalization
Appeal of Kansas Star Casino, No. 115,587, issued this same day. (At the time Kansas
Star appealed the County's tax valuation, the agency was known as the Court of Tax
Appeals. The agency name was changed to the Board of Tax Appeals [BOTA] during the
2014 legislative session. L. 2014, ch. 141. For purposes of consistency, this opinion
refers only to BOTA.)

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On appeal, Kansas Star complains that BOTA erred (1) by classifying all 195.5
acres as commercial property; (2) by rejecting Kansas Star's expert's cost approach
appraisal; and (3) by rejecting both its expert's and Sumner County's expert's income
approach appraisals for the property and, instead, applying its own income approach by
using average input values for its allocation percentage and EBITDA (earnings before
interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization) multiplier. The County cross-appeals,
arguing that BOTA's decision to reject the County's expert's opinion on functional
obsolescence, particularly as it relates to superadequacy, is not supported by the record
and is unreasonable, arbitrary, and capricious. The County also argues that BOTA's
income allocation approach analysis, which in effect split the difference between both
parties' figures by attempting to use a median number, is not supported by the record and
is unreasonable, arbitrary, and capricious.

For reasons more fully explained below, we agree with the parties that BOTA
improperly adopted its own income allocation approach to valuing the property by
utilizing supposed median figures to establish a 21% profit margin, an EBITDA
multiplier of 7.64, and a 30% real estate allocation percentage because such alleged
median figures are unsupported by the record. The case is remanded to BOTA for
reconsideration of the appropriate figures for profit margin, EBITDA multiplier, and real
estate allocation. We affirm BOTA in all other respects.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

As this court explained in detail in In re Equalization Appeal of Kansas Star
Casino, 52 Kan. App. 2d 50, 52-55, 362 P.3d 1109 (2015), rev. denied 307 Kan. ___
(December 20, 2017), Kansas Star is one of four state-sponsored gaming enterprises in
Kansas and is located in the south central gaming zone. In April 2007 the Kansas
Legislature enacted K.S.A. 74-8733 et seq., the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act (KELA) to
authorize a limited number of casinos to be operated in Kansas. KELA divided the state
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into four gaming zones: northeast, south central, southwest, and southeast, with a single
gaming facility allowed in each gaming zone. K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 74-8734(a), (d), and
(h)(19). Sedgwick County and Sumner County comprise the south central gaming zone.
K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 74-8702(f). Additional background is also included in the companion
case 115,587.

A. The Subject Property

The property upon which the casino sits is located on two formerly separate tracts
of land, referred to as the Wyant and Gerlach tracts, and is located in the northeast part of
Sumner County, nearly adjacent to Sedgwick County and just west of the Kansas
Turnpike/Interstate Highway 35. Peninsula Gaming, Kansas Star's former parent
company, acquired both tracts in July 2010 for a total purchase price of nearly $17
million and combined them into a single parcel of land. The property's improvements
consist of a casino and an arena building which are located entirely on the Gerlach tract.
Because the property sits on low ground, Kansas Star set aside a little over 41 acres for
drainage.

The 195.5 acres held by Kansas Star is more land than is necessary for the casino
itself, and Kansas Star planned to use the undeveloped land for other projects, such as an
RV park. However, the plans for future development have not come to fruition. The
original plan for an arena and equine event center proved to be unprofitable and
unnecessary, so Kansas Star negotiated with the Kansas Lottery to amend its
management contract to allow for some funds to be shifted away from arena development
and towards conference space.

On December 20, 2013, Kansas Star entered into a lease agreement with Mark
Hardison to farm 63.5 acres of the property that had originally been planned for future
development, in exchange for mowing the drainage areas and $1 in consideration. After
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the January 1, 2014 valuation date, Hardison raised soy beans on the property. None of
the 63.5 acres was used to operate the casino business. The County classified the entire
195.5-acre parcel as commercial and industrial for tax year 2014.

B. The Arena

The arena building was originally constructed as a temporary casino. From
December 26, 2011, through December 21, 2012, Kansas Star operated a temporary
casino in its arena while the permanent casino was being constructed. The permanent
casino opened in December 2012, after which time Kansas Star began the process of
converting the temporary casino back into an arena. The permanent casino is 164,790
square feet for a total building area of 327,412 square feet. The casino floor in the
permanent casino is 78,000 square feet, which is more than double the gaming floor
space in the temporary casino.

The arena is 162,622 square feet with a maximum seating capacity in concert
mode of 6,200. Kansas Star held its first concert at the arena on June 29, 2013. However,
in the first 9 months of operation, the arena hosted just 16 events. One major event had to
be cancelled because of low ticket sales, forcing Kansas Star to make a $200,000 buyout.
Kansas Star found that during the events, gaming revenue went down in the casino due to
full parking lots, long lines, and crowds. Kansas Star also found the equine events did not
produce the expected revenue, so it minimized the focus of the arena as an equestrian
center. Dan Ihm, the vice president general manager of the Kansas Star Casino, testified
that the arena had a $500,000 operating loss in 2013. This loss represented the total lost
on the individual events that were held but did not include fixed overhead expenses such
general advertising, maintenance, and utilities.

Materials submitted by Kansas Star during the bidding process for the gaming
license projected that the arena would sustain operating losses ranging from $790,170 in
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2013 to $534,046 in 2016. Kansas Star cites evidence in the record disputing this
expectation and in support of its expectation that the arena would increase revenue.
Despite the expectations, the arena does not operate a profit on its own nor does it
generate additional gaming revenue. The arena is competing in a saturated market, and all
of the other arenas are closer to Wichita. The completion of the arena reduced the casino's
profitability in 2013. Wendy Runde, the former assistant manager of the Kansas Star
Casino, testified that Kansas Star would be more profitable if the arena had never been
built. Ihm testified that Kansas Star was better off operating out of the temporary arena
than operating the permanent casino and arena. Ihm said that he would not have built the
arena in order to maximize profits.

Kansas Star collected $192.4 million in total revenue in 2013, which exceeded
preopening projections for 2014 by more than 15%. However, the EBITDA decreased.
Ihm believed the dip in profits was attributable, at least in part, to the addition of
nongaming amenities such as restaurants, which carry overhead expenses and are not big
revenue drivers. Kansas Star's financial data showed that operating expenses jumped
from approximately $115 million to $157 million. One significant expense increase was
an "affiliate management fee" paid by Kansas Star to its parent company, Boyd Gaming,
which alone decreased Kansas Star's overall EBITDA.

C. The Appraisals

The County valued the property at $153.5 million based on an appraisal performed
by Richard Jortberg, MAI. Kansas Star appealed this value to BOTA, where the County
had the evidentiary burden to show the validity and correctness of its valuation of the
property. See K.S.A. 2013 Supp. 79-1609. Kansas Star asserted a value of $75 million.

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1. The County's appraisal expert

Jortberg appraised the subject property for tax year 2014. Jortberg has numerous
years of experience appraising casinos for the taxing authorities in Colorado. Jortberg
considered all three approaches to value: the sales comparison approach, the cost
approach, and the income approach.

To calculate land value, Jortberg performed a highest and best use analysis and
concluded that it would be physically possible, legally permissible, financially feasible,
and maximally productive to use the subject property for gaming/casino purposes, as it
was the property's highest and best use, both as vacant and improved. Jortberg decided
not to rely on a sales comparison approach because of a lack of comparable sales that
would provide a good indication of transaction-based value.

Jortberg relied on five comparable sales to derive land value: (1) the acquisition
of the Wyant tract; (2) the acquisition of the Gerlach tract; (3) the unexercised option for
the nearby Storey/Mangus tract; (4) the unexercised option for the nearby Grother tract;
and (5) the speculative sale of the Boot Hill Casino property in Ford County. He also
reviewed land sale activities in other gaming markets. Jortberg eventually dismissed the
Boot Hill sale because it was a speculative sale without gaming approvals and was in a
smaller market. Jortberg ultimately concluded the $17 million paid to acquire the subject
property was the best evidence of its value. But because gaming revenues in 2013 were
already 15% higher than projections, Jortberg applied a 15% adjustment of $2.6 million
to the $17 million purchase price, making his total land value estimate $19.6 million.

Jortberg determined the reproduction cost for the subject property was $121
million based on actual costs reported in the 2013 Deloitte and Touche audit. He applied
a 12.5% entrepreneurial incentive to the reproduction cost.

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Jortberg found no evidence of incurable physical depreciation. He did, however,
recognize $2.4 million in depreciation based on disposals associated with the conversion
of the temporary casino back into the arena. In considering functional obsolescence,
Jortberg wrote in his report:

"[M]arket analysis indicates not only the ongoing construction of event
center/entertainment areas at casinos by casino owners but also the demand illustrated for
smaller footprint event centers to attract more numerous smaller shows as compared to
the very large, publicly supported facilities which are too large for many potential
shows."

Jortberg testified the property was not superadequate because (1) the facilities
were built using best construction practices and (2) it was necessary to build the existing
facilities as they were required by the management contract under KELA. He pointed out
that Boyd Gaming purchased the property as part of its acquisition of Peninsula Gaming,
Kansas Star's former parent company, and the audits reflected a value basis at cost or
higher. Finally, Jortberg noted that during an actual market transaction involving the
property, no impairment, obsolescence, or superadequacy was recognized. Jortberg
similarly concluded there was no external obsolescence as evidenced by the business
enterprise value far exceeding the real property value. After combining land value and
replacement costs and then deducting depreciation, Jortberg arrived at a total valuation
under the cost approach of $153.5 million.

Jortberg began his income allocation analysis by determining stabilized earnings
before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), which he calculated based
on his review of actual EBITDA for 2012 and 2013, a Wells Gaming research report, and
metrics from the Colorado Gaming Commission. He then determined an appropriate
EBITDA multiplier range, in this case 7.5 to 9.0, based on transactional data where
EBITDA multipliers had been reported. By applying the EBITDA multipliers to
EBITDA, Jortberg concluded the stabilized enterprise value was within the range of $563
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to $675 million, which he rounded to a midpoint of $620 million. He then estimated the
percentage of the total enterprise attributable to the real estate at 47% based on figures
derived from publicly traded casinos. As the next step, Jortberg multiplied that figure by
$620 million to derive an estimate for property, plant, and equipment of $291 million. He
then subtracted $51.9 million for "Furniture, Equipment, & Other"—as reflected in the
2013 Deloitte and Touche audit—to reach a total valuation under the income approach of
$239.5 million.

In completing his income approach, Jortberg performed an allocation analysis with
the following caveat:

"In short, these intangible allocations of value can abusively and incredibly minimize the
value of real property, ignoring fundamental principles of economics related to factors of
production (land, labor and capital) which are elements of the creation of value. The
premise that 'precisely' calculated intangible elements of value are superior metrics of
valuation and are gold standards to calculate indirectly the impairment to the real
property is fallacious. These methodologies (parsing, allocations, etc.) often ignore the
fact that, were the real property not present, there would be no elements of intangible
value. That said, intangible value allocations are relevant, and they should be considered
on a case by case basis."

Under this approach, Jortberg found the value of the property would be $239.5
million. Jortberg then concluded: "This is clearly an incorrect conclusion because the
value of the subject by the Cost Approach was $153.5 million." In his testimony, Jortberg
noted that he did not "like any bit" of his allocation approach because there was not a
typical marketplace extraction of factors of rates to do allocations. Jortberg explained that
if he were evaluating a Hampton Inn—which would have many other similar
properties—then it might be appropriate.

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After reaching value conclusions under the cost approach ($153.5 million) and
income allocation approach ($239.5 million), Jortberg concluded that his cost approach
analysis was the best indicator of value because it was based on actual costs.

2. Kansas Star's appraisal expert

David Lennhoff, MAI, testified on behalf of Kansas Star. Lennhoff is a nationally
recognized expert in the area of separating real estate value from intangible value, and he
has held positions and taught at the Appraisal Institute. Lennhoff considered but did not
apply the sales comparison approach. Instead, Lennhoff performed a cost approach and a
combined income/sales approach to value the property. Lennhoff's cost approach
included a replacement cost analysis, land value analysis, and an
obsolescence/depreciation analysis.

Lennhoff's land value conclusion was $2 million based on the sales values of five
comparable properties. Lennhoff testified that he looked intentionally for comparable
sales in an area that "might suggest something other than [agricultural land], but it might
have the potential for something else." Lennhoff excluded from his analysis the effect of
the market created by KELA because he did not believe it comported with the concept of
an open and competitive market. Lennhoff's cost approach analysis considered the
property as if the management contract were available but the buyer did not yet have it.
None of the properties Lennhoff selected were in Sumner County and, therefore, could
not be used for gaming purposes even if the management contract were available but not
yet awarded.

Lennhoff also analyzed the Boot Hill Casino property sale—a speculative
purchase of the land upon which the Boot Hill Casino was constructed—for a price of
$10,391 per acre. Lennhoff concluded that the land value was $10,000 per acre, or a
$1.35 million total land value for the 134 acres of nonagricultural land at the property.
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Lennhoff acknowledged this was substantially higher than typical agricultural values at
$3,000 per acre, but his conclusion was influenced by the values of potential commercial
sites near Wichita and the $10,000 per acre speculative purchase of the Boot Hill Casino
site.

To estimate replacement/reproduction costs, Lennhoff relied on cost estimates
from Marshall Valuation Service as well as actual costs as reported by Kansas Star. The
replacement and reproduction costs were almost identical: $352 per square foot for
replacement costs compared to $356 per square foot for reproduction costs. Lennhoff
used the replacement cost of $352 per square foot. Although Lennhoff determined the
actual cost of the improvements was $116.6 million, he relied on Marshal Valuation
Service's estimate of $94 million. He then added architectural and design fees of $6
million. Finally, Lennhoff applied an entrepreneurial incentive of $15 million, derived
from multiplying $102 million (his combined total for land, improvements, and
architecture and design fees) by 15%, which led to a total estimated value of $115
million. Lennhoff did not use the actual costs for construction because he felt they were
influenced by the amount KELA required Kansas Star to spend. The total cost of the
project submitted to the Lottery Commission was approximately $284 million (though
the minimum investment requirement was only $225 million).

Lennhoff found no evidence of physical depreciation. He considered
functional/external obsolescence by utilizing the market extraction method. He first
compared the Kansas Star Casino to the 2005 sale of the Sports City indoor sporting
arena in Blue Springs, Missouri, which he determined had depreciated 68% in value. He
then compared Kansas Star's arena to the 2012 sale of the Pepsi Ice Midwest Arena in
Overland Park, which had depreciated 37% in value. Based on these comparisons,
Lennhoff concluded the subject property was approximately 40% depreciated, resulting
in a reduction in value in excess of $46 million.

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Lennhoff testified there were substantial market indications of functional
obsolescence, noting that the property did not meet original expectations, was a loss
leader, and was underutilized. Additionally, Lennhoff noted that his market extraction
comparables were conservatively selected. He testified that the Kansas Coliseum sold for
only its land value, which would indicate 100% obsolescence. Lennhoff found
incompatibility between the arena and casino, which also reflects obsolescence. He noted
that on the rare occasions that the arena was used to capacity, it lost money on its
operations and discouraged gaming activity at the casino.

With respect to the casino, Lennhoff reviewed real estate-only sales of casinos in
Atlantic City, which indicated an average depreciation of 93%. Lennhoff also evaluated
the market to determine whether the casino was appropriately sized for its revenue-
generating capabilities. Lennhoff compared the revenue per square foot of Kansas Star to
the revenue per square foot of the five casinos in Kansas City in order to determine how
much space was necessary to accommodate the gaming customer base. The revenue per
square foot was substantially higher in Kansas City, with three of the five casinos having
revenue per square foot of over $2,000, whereas Kansas Star's revenue per square foot
was $1,170 just for the casino portion of the property. Lennhoff also noted that doubling
the gaming space from 2012 to 2013 resulted in only a five percent revenue increase,
strongly indicating that most of the additional space was unnecessary.

During cross-examination, Lennhoff admitted the Pepsi Ice Arena had been sold
because the chiller failed and the owner could not afford to fix it. Also, Lennhoff agreed
the fit and finish of the casino was what he would expect from a Midwestern, suburban
Class A casino and that the actual improvements were unlikely to be turned into a
basketball court or soccer field. Lennhoff explained that he had been unable to find ideal
comparables for his market extraction analysis and that his 40% estimate was "[n]ot
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perfect, but you've got to do something." After combining his land value and cost of
improvements and then deducting depreciation, Lennhoff's total valuation under the cost
approach was $71 million.

When performing the combined sales/income approach to estimate the value of the
property, Lennhoff calculated the total value of the enterprise and then allocated a
percentage of the value to the real property. Lennhoff's sales/income analysis began with
Kansas Star's gross and net revenues from 2013, $207 million and $202 million,
respectively. Lennhoff did not use actual EBITDA for the property because he was
looking for market-typical figures to correspond with his market-typical allocation
percentages. Lennhoff used three indicators to calculate a market-typical EBITDA
margin: IBISWorld's Industry average profit margins for hotel-casinos (18.8%) and
nonhotel casinos (22.6%) and a survey of average profit margins of large gaming
companies (9.6% average). Lennhoff calculated a market EBITDA margin of 20%, near
the highest end of his indicated range.

Lennhoff claimed he "did not want to incorporate the monopoly aspect to [his
analysis] because that seems . . . to be potentially inconsistent with the definition of
market value in Kansas." Lennhoff applied a profit margin of 20%, derived from his
review of an IBISWorld publication and profit margins from casinos in competitive
markets.

Next, Lennhoff multiplied his EBITDA estimate by a multiplier of 7.5—derived
from his review of 10 casino sales—which led to a value of $304 million. During cross-
examination, Lennhoff acknowledged it was less than half the enterprise value reflected
in Kansas Star's actual balance sheets but asserted this was represented in an accounting
and was due to the monopolistic nature of the property. After calculating enterprise value,
Lennhoff applied an allocation percentage of 25%, based on (1) a casino study performed
by William Kinnard in 1998; (2) allocation percentages from five motor speedways; and
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(3) eight casino sales from 2009-2013. From this estimate, Lennhoff calculated the value
of the real estate at $76.5 million, or $76.1 million for just the 134.5 acre parcel with
improvements (and excluding the 63.5 acres that Kansas Star asserts is agricultural land).

Lennhoff reconciled his value under the cost approach ($71 million) and his value
under the income allocation approach valuation ($76.5 million) and ultimately
determined the fair market value for the property was $75.4 million.

Kansas Star also presented expert testimony from Cory Morowitz, a gaming
consultant. Morowitz testified that because KELA required investors to spend a minimum
of $225 million, bidders may have been required to build a project that was bigger than
optimal. But based on the potential for an outsized return on investment in KELA's
monopoly market, Morowitz testified: "I wouldn't say [bidders for the license] act
irrationally, they promise things that they wouldn't build otherwise. So they will bid-up
the offer, the ask in order to gain the license."

Morowitz went on to explain that in Kansas Star's case, because of the
underserved market and outsized opportunity, a prudent buyer would likely promise to
build more than necessary in order to secure the winning bid for the management
contract. Morowitz also analyzed the number of arena seats to gaming positions at
casinos and determined that the Kansas Star Arena had more seats per gaming position
than the comparable casinos he reviewed. Morowitz explained that the prerecession trend
to build more than what was needed had changed to the current trend, which is to "figure
out what you need to support that local market and be as efficient as possible." Morowitz
concluded that the size of the Kansas Star Arena was "inappropriate relative to its casino
and hotel operations. Based on the ratio of seats to gaming positions, this suggests that as
much as two-thirds of the arena seats may not be needed or are functionally obsolete."

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Morowitz also evaluated the casino for functional obsolescence. Morowitz found
that the temporary casino in the arena building was "satiating the market demand." But
with the opening of the permanent casino/arena combination, which doubled the overall
square footage and the casino floor space, Kansas Star saw only a five percent increase in
revenue and a decline in EBITDA. Morowitz concluded: "So when I look at that, I say,
they're not utilizing their assets correctly. They clearly have built too much, they[]
could've built less, right, and got[ten] the same results."

D. BOTA's Decision

BOTA determined the 63.5 acres leased to Hardison did not qualify as land
devoted to agricultural use as of January 1, 2014. In reaching its conclusion, BOTA relied
on Division of Property Valuation (DPV) Directive #99-038 and this court's decision in
In re Equalization Tax Appeal of Miami County Appraiser, No. 106,659, 2012 WL
2149829 (Kan. App. 2012) (unpublished opinion), which state that activity from the prior
tax year is to be considered when determining classification of the property. BOTA
determined that merely signing a lease to farm was insufficient to establish agricultural
activity.

In considering the parties' competing cost approach analyses, BOTA noted that in
tax year 2013, it determined that because of purported deficiencies in both appraisers'
methodologies, neither appraiser's cost approach was reliable or persuasive. BOTA
rejected both of the experts' cost approach analyses, stating:

"The Board finds that the challenges and deficiencies in accurately valuing the
subject land value and estimating depreciation via the cost approach found by the Board
in the prior tax year's appeal are similarly present at instant. The instant record is replete
with evidence substantiating the Taxpayer's contention that the addition/opening of the
casino had a lower than expected financial impact on the Taxpayer's business. Given
these findings, the Board finds here, as in the prior tax year's appeal, that the income
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approach methodology sponsored by appraisers Jortberg and Lennhoff is the best
methodology for an accurate determination of the subject property's fair market value."

BOTA chose to calculate its own value using the income approach methodology
used by both appraisers. The general formula used by both appraisers to derive fair
market value under the income allocation approach was as follows:

1. (Actual revenue) x (estimated profit margin) = (estimate for EBITDA)

2. (EBITDA estimate) x (estimate for EBITDA multiplier) = (estimate for
value of going concern)

3. (Estimate for value of going concern) x (estimate for real estate
allocation percentage) = (estimate for fair market value).

BOTA began its income allocation approach analysis with Kansas Star's actual
revenue for 2013. BOTA found that the median profit margin from a table in Jortberg's
report was the best evidence of the profit margin. BOTA explained: "The Board finds that
utilizing the subject property's reported actual 2013 revenue with a 21% profit margin as
supported by the median drawn from publicly traded properties in the Jortberg appraisal
yields an EBITDA of $42,600,000 (rounded)."

After estimating earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization
(EBITDA), BOTA applied an EBITDA multiplier of 7.64 based on median data drawn
from transactional data in both appraisals. Finally, BOTA applied a 30% real estate
allocation percentage based on the median figure from a table in Lennhoff's report as the
most appropriate reflection of market allocation. After applying this figure, BOTA
concluded that the fair market value of the property for tax year 2014 was $97.6 million.

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Kansas Star timely appealed; the County cross-appealed BOTA's rejection of the
County's cost approach and BOTA's income allocation analysis.

Standards of Review

A taxpayer has the right to appeal an order of BOTA by filing a petition for
judicial review with the Court of Appeals or the district court under K.S.A. 2017 Supp.
74-2426(c). Kansas Star filed a petition for judicial review with this court; the County
filed a cross-petition for judicial review. We review BOTA's decision in the manner
prescribed by K.S.A. 77-601 et seq., the Kansas Judicial Review Act (KJRA).

The KJRA defines the scope of judicial review of state agency actions unless the
agency is specifically exempted from the application of the statute. K.S.A. 2017 Supp.
77-603(a); Ryser v. Kansas Bd. of Healing Arts, 295 Kan. 452, 458, 284 P.3d 337 (2012).
BOTA orders are subject to KJRA review. K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 74-2426(c). While a
county bears the burden of proof before BOTA, on appeal, the burden of proving the
invalidity of BOTA's actions is on the party asserting the invalidity. K.S.A. 2017 Supp.
79-1609; K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 77-621(a)(1); In re Equalization Appeal of Wagner, 304
Kan. 587, 597, 372 P.3d 1226 (2016). Further, when reviewing an agency action as set
forth in K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 77-621(c), this court takes into account the rule of harmless
error. K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 77-621(e); Sierra Club v. Moser, 298 Kan. 22, 47, 310 P.3d 360
(2013).

When construing tax statutes, the statutes must be construed strictly in favor of the
taxpayer. In re Tax Appeal of Harbour Brothers Constr. Co., 256 Kan. 216, 223, 883
P.2d 1194 (1994); In re Tax Protest of Jones, 52 Kan. App. 2d 393, 396, 367 P.3d 306
(2016), rev. denied 305 Kan. 1252 (2017). Interpretation of a statute is a question of law
over which appellate courts have unlimited review. Unruh v. Purina Mills, 289 Kan.
1185, 1193, 221 P.3d 1130 (2009). In making the unlimited review of a Kansas statute,
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no deference is given to the agency's interpretation. See Douglas v. Ad Astra Information
Systems, 296 Kan. 552, 559, 293 P.3d 723 (2013); Ft. Hays St. Univ. v. University Ch.,
Am. Ass'n of Univ. Profs., 290 Kan. 446, Syl. ¶ 2, 228 P.3d 403 (2010). This ruling has
been specifically applied to decisions of BOTA. See In re Tax Exemption Application of
Kouri Place, 44 Kan. App. 2d 467, 472, 239 P.3d 96 (2010).

K.SA. 2017 Supp. 77-621(c) sets out eight standards under which a court shall
grant relief. In this case, the parties are relying on K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 77-621(c)(4),
(c)(7), and (c)(8) to support their arguments that relief should be granted.

K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 77-621(c)(4) requires a court to grant relief if the agency
"erroneously interpreted or applied the law."

K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 77-621(c)(7) requires a court to grant relief if "the agency
action is based on a determination of fact, made or implied by the agency, that is not
supported to the appropriate standard of proof by evidence that is substantial when
viewed in light of the record as a whole." K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 77-621(d) defines "in light
of the record as a whole" to include the evidence both supporting and detracting from an
agency's finding. A reviewing court must determine whether the evidence supporting an
agency's factual findings is substantial when considered in light of all the evidence but
does not reweigh evidence or engage in de novo review. K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 77-621(d);
Redd v. Kansas Truck Center, 291 Kan. 176, 183-84, 239 P.3d 66 (2010). "Substantial
competent evidence possesses both relevance and substance and provides a substantial
basis of fact from which the issues can be reasonably determined." Frick Farm
Properties v. Kansas Dept. of Agriculture, 289 Kan. 690, 709, 216 P.3d 170 (2009).

Finally, K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 77-621(c)(8) requires a court to grant relief if BOTA's
"action is otherwise unreasonable, arbitrary or capricious." "Because a rebuttable
presumption of validity attaches to all administrative agency actions, the burden of
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proving arbitrary and capricious conduct lies with the party challenging the agency's
actions." In re Equalization Proceeding of Amoco Production Co., 33 Kan. App. 2d 329,
333, 102 P.3d 1176 (2004), rev. denied 279 Kan. 1006 (2005).

The test for finding arbitrary and capricious conduct is determining "'whether [a]
particular action should have been taken or is justified,'" such as the reasonableness of an
agency's exercise of discretion in reaching a determination or whether the agency's action
was without foundation in fact. Kansas Dept. of Revenue v. Powell, 290 Kan. 564, 569,
232 P.3d 856 (2010); Kansas Racing Management, Inc. v. Kansas Racing Comm'n, 244
Kan. 343, 365, 770 P.2d 423 (1989). "Flipping a coin, for example, would be
incompatible with weighing of evidence or drawing conclusions necessary to support
[the] decision. That would be true without regard to the soundness of the outcome, and a
court would act within its authority to vacate the result as arbitrary." Rural Water Dist. #2
v. Miami County Board of Comm'rs, No. 105,632, 2012 WL 309165, at *10 (Kan. App.
2012) (unpublished opinion). An order is arbitrary and capricious if it is unreasonable or
without foundation in fact. Citizens Utility Ratepayer Bd. v. Kansas Corporation
Comm'n, 47 Kan. App. 2d 1112, 1124, 284 P.3d 348 (2012).

"A challenge under K.S.A. 2010 Supp. 77-621(c)(8) attacks the quality of the agency's
reasoning. See Kansas Dept. of Revenue v. Powell, 290 Kan. 564, 569, 232 P.3d 856
(2010) (stating that agency may have acted arbitrarily when it fails to properly consider
factors courts require it to consider to guide its discretionary decision); Wheatland
Electric Cooperative, 46 Kan. App. 2d 746, Syl. ¶ 5 (providing factors to consider when
determining whether agency acted within its discretion); Gellhorn & Levin,
Administrative Law and Process in a Nutshell, p. 103 (5th ed. 2006) ('[T]he emphasis in
arbitrariness review [is on] the quality of an agency's reasoning.')." In re Protests of
Oakhill Land Co., 46 Kan. App. 2d 1105, 1115, 269 P.3d 876 (2012).

When determining the validity of an assessment of the valuation of real property
for uniformity and equality in the distribution of taxation burdens, the essential question
19
is whether the standards prescribed in K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 79-503a have been considered
and applied by taxing officials. Krueger v. Board of Woodson County Comm'rs, 31 Kan.
App. 2d 698, 702-03, 71 P.3d 1167 (2003), aff'd 277 Kan. 486, 85 P.3d 686 (2004).

General concepts of ad valorem taxation

All real and tangible personal property in Kansas is subject to taxation on a
uniform and equal basis unless specifically exempted. Kan. Const. art. 11, § 1(a); K.S.A.
79-101. The Kansas Legislature has enacted a statutory scheme to ensure property is
appraised for ad valorem tax purposes in a uniform and equal manner. Central to this
statutory scheme is the requirement that property be appraised at fair market value as of
January 1 of each taxable year, unless otherwise specified by law. K.S.A. 79-1455.

When determining ad valorem valuation, Kansas law requires valuation of the fee
simple interest, which is defined as

"'[a]bsolute ownership unencumbered by any other interest or estate, subject only to the
limitations imposed by the governmental powers of taxation, eminent domain, police
power, and escheat.' The Appraisal of Real Estate, p. 114 (13th ed. 2008). Stated another
way, '[o]wnership of the fee simple interest is equivalent to ownership of the complete
bundle of sticks [property rights] that can be privately owned.' The Appraisal of Real
Estate, p. 112. . . .

"Kansas tax statutes do not use the term 'fee simple'; however, it is clear that the
legislative intent underlying the statutory scheme of ad valorem taxation in our State has
always been to appraise the property as if in fee simple, requiring property appraisal to
use market rents instead of contract rents if the rates are not equal. K.S.A. 79-501
requires that each parcel of real property be appraised for taxation purposes to determine
its fair market value. In turn, K.S.A. 2010 Supp. 79-503a defines 'fair market value' as
'the amount in terms of money that a well informed buyer is justified in paying and a well
informed seller is justified in accepting for property in an open and competitive market,
20
assuming that the parties are acting without undue compulsion.' (Emphasis added.) It is
clear, therefore, that the fair market value statute values property rights, not contract
rights." In re Equalization Appeal of Prieb Properties, 47 Kan. App. 2d 122, 130-31, 275
P.3d 56 (2012).

The concept that Kansas law requires valuation of the fee simple interest is
consistent with K.S.A. 79-102, which states: "[T]he terms 'real property,' 'real estate,' and
'land,' when used in this act, except as otherwise specifically provided, shall include not
only the land itself, but all buildings, fixtures, improvements, mines, minerals, quarries,
mineral springs and wells, rights and privileges appertaining thereto." This definition
requires that all rights and privileges in real property are to be valued. However, "[f]or
purposes of ad valorem taxation, Kansas law requires the valuation of the fee simple
estate and not the leased fee interest." 47 Kan. App. 2d 122, Syl. ¶ 6.

In determining the ad valorem valuation, Kansas law assumes a hypothetical sale
as of January 1 of the applicable tax year. K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 79-503a. The hypothetical
sale must include only the sticks in the bundle of rights and may not include intangible
interests or enterprise value. See K.S.A. 79-102; In re Tax Protest of Strayer, 239 Kan.
136, 142-43, 716 P.2d 588 (1986) (intangible property interests not taxable for property
tax purposes).

K.S.A. 79-1455 states: "Each year all taxable and exempt real and tangible
personal property shall be appraised by the county appraiser at its fair market value as of
January 1 in accordance with K.S.A. 79-503a." As such, the Kansas statutory scheme "is
a surrogate for a real marketplace event; the statute requires the appraiser to pretend, in
effect, that each piece of property is sold on January 1 of the year in which the appraisal
is done in an arms length transaction." Hixon v. Lario Enterprises, Inc., 19 Kan. App. 2d
643, 646-47, 875 P.2d 297 (1994), aff'd as modified 257 Kan. 377, 892 P.2d 507 (1995).
This pretend transaction is often referred to as a hypothetical sale of the subject property.
21
Key to determining a value for this hypothetical sale is fair market value. K.S.A. 2017
Supp. 79-503a defines fair market value and provides guidance on the factors used to
determine fair market value.

"'Fair market value' means the amount in terms of money that a well informed
buyer is justified in paying and a well informed seller is justified in accepting for
property in an open and competitive market, assuming that the parties are acting without
undue compulsion. In the determination of fair market value of any real property which is
subject to any special assessment, such value shall not be determined by adding the
present value of the special assessment to the sales price. For the purposes of this
definition it will be assumed that consummation of a sale occurs as of January 1.

"Sales in and of themselves shall not be the sole criteria of fair market value but
shall be used in connection with cost, income and other factors including but not by way
of exclusion:

"(a) The proper classification of lands and improvements;
"(b) the size thereof;
"(c) the effect of location on value;
"(d) depreciation, including physical deterioration or functional, economic or
social obsolescence;
"(e) cost of reproduction of improvements;
"(f) productivity taking into account all restrictions imposed by the state or
federal government and local governing bodies, including, but not limited to, restrictions
on property rented or leased to low income individuals and families as authorized by
section 42 of the federal internal revenue code of 1986, as amended;
"(g) earning capacity as indicated by lease price, by capitalization of net income
or by absorption or sell-out period;
"(h) rental or reasonable rental values or rental values restricted by the state or
federal government or local governing bodies, including, but not limited to, restrictions
on property rented or leased to low income individuals and families, as authorized by
section 42 of the federal internal revenue code of 1986, as amended;
22
"(i) sale value on open market with due allowance to abnormal inflationary
factors influencing such values;
"(j) restrictions or requirements imposed upon the use of real estate by the state
or federal government or local governing bodies, including zoning and planning boards
or commissions, and including, but not limited to, restrictions or requirements imposed
upon the use of real estate rented or leased to low income individuals and families, as
authorized by section 42 of the federal internal revenue code of 1986, as amended; and
"(k) comparison with values of other property of known or recognized value. The
assessment-sales ratio study shall not be used as an appraisal for appraisal purposes."

This list of factors is nonexclusive.

Appraisals for ad valorem taxation purposes must be performed in accordance
with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). K.S.A. 79-
506(a). In addition, the ad valorem appraisal process must "conform to generally
accepted appraisal procedures and standards which are consistent with the definition of
fair market value unless otherwise specified by law." K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 79-503a.

DID BOTA ERR IN CLASSIFYING 63.5 ACRES AS REAL ESTATE
USED FOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES?

Kansas Star first argues that BOTA erred as a matter of law when it classified 63.5
acres of the property as real estate used for commercial and industrial purposes when the
land was subject to a farming lease. Kansas Star complains that (1) BOTA improperly
placed the burden of proof on Kansas Star and (2) BOTA improperly weighed the
evidence. As resolving this question involves statutory interpretation, which is a question
of law, our review is unlimited. Unruh, 289 Kan. at 1193.

Under K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 79-1439(b), taxing authorities are required to classify
real property as one of seven classes and then assess taxes at a percentage specified by
23
the statute. The County classified the entire 195.5 parcel as commercial and industrial for
tax year 2014.

On appeal to BOTA, Kansas Star argued that because it had leased approximately
63.5 acres to a farmer before the date of valuation, the leased acreage should have been
classified as agricultural. BOTA rejected this argument and ruled that the acreage was
properly classified as land for commercial and industrial use. BOTA based its decision on
the fact that even though the acreage was under a lease for farming, the leased ground
had not been planted with any crop as of the date of valuation and had not been used
agriculturally in the prior year.

This dispute is significant because Kansas taxes agricultural land at a lower rate
than land classified as commercial and industrial. Under the Kansas Constitution, "[l]and
devoted to agricultural use" is valued based on income production rather than the price a
willing buyer would pay a willing seller (fair market value). Kan. Const. art. 11, § 1(a).
However, the Kansas Constitution gave the Legislature the power to define what
constitutes land that is devoted to agricultural use. Kan. Const. art. 11, § 12. The
Legislature has defined agricultural land as land "devoted to the production of plants,
animals or horticultural products." K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 79-1476.

Real property is classified according to its use on January 1 of each year. For
property such as land devoted to agricultural use which has seasonal uses, the
classification should be based annually upon the overall use during the prior year or
operating period. See K.S.A. 2014 Supp. 79-1476; DPV Directive #99-038.

A. Burden of proof

Kansas Star argues that BOTA improperly found that it bore the burden of proof to
show that the property should not be classified as commercial property.
24
K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 79-1609 states:

"With regard to any matter properly submitted to the board relating to the determination
of valuation of residential property or real property used for commercial and industrial
purposes for taxation purposes, it shall be the duty of the county appraiser to initiate the
production of evidence to demonstrate, by a preponderance of the evidence, the validity
and correctness of such determination."

The County bore the burden of proof to show that the land was classified as commercial
property. In In re Equalization Appeal of Camp Timberlake, No. 111,273, 2015 WL
249846 (Kan. App. 2015) (unpublished opinion), the taxpayer argued that Johnson
County erroneously classified his property as commercial instead of agricultural. On
appeal, the Camp Timberlake panel held that the County had the initial statutory burden
to prove the valuation of the property as commercial property, but the party asserting a
different classification must come forward with evidence supporting that position. 2015
WL 249846, at *6-8. The panel also distinguished between the burden of proof of the
classification of the property and the burden of production of affirmatively arguing for a
different classification.

"'The burden of proof is not to be confused with the burden of going forward with the
evidence. The burden of proof is always on the party asserting an affirmative of an
issue and remains with him throughout the trial. Even though it may be incumbent upon
the other party to proceed with the introduction of evidence at some stage of the
proceedings, the burden of going forward with the evidence does not change the burden
of proving a disputed issue.' [Jenson,] 205 Kan. at 467." Camp Timberlake, 2015 WL
249846, at *8.

25
Here, the County introduced evidence that the property had been used as a
commercial gaming enterprise since December 2011. As to whether a portion of the
property should now be classified as agricultural, the burden was on Kansas Star to
produce evidence that a portion of the property had been put to agricultural use.

B. Evidence of agricultural classification

The Legislature has defined agricultural land as land "devoted to the production of
plants, animals or horticultural products." K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 79-1476. In interpreting the
Legislature's use of the word "production," this court has concluded that the term
"certainly suggest[s] that some activity must take place. The constitutional provision
speaks of land devoted to agricultural use, and the statute speaks of land devoted to the
production of agricultural goods." In re Protests of Oakhill Land Co., 46 Kan. App. 2d
1105, 1115-16, 269 P.3d 876 (2012); see Kan. Const. art. 11, § 1(a); In re Miami County
Appraiser, 2012 WL 2149829, at *1.

Kansas Star identifies only two pieces of evidence to support its claim. First, it
points to the farm lease between Kansas Star and Hardison executed on December 20,
2013, approximately 13 days before the relevant date of valuation. But, as this court has
recognized on a number of occasions, "it's not enough just to enter into a lease for
someone to farm the property because '[t]he mere existence of a lease allowing
production does not demonstrate that any production actually took place.' [Oakhill Land
Co.,] 46 Kan. App. 2d at 1116." In re Miami County Appraiser, 2012 WL 2149829, at *1.
Kansas Star must show more than the mere existence of a farm lease.

Next, Kansas Star notes that Ihm testified that Hardison raised soy beans on the
property in 2014 and 2015. But as correctly noted by BOTA, under DPV Directive #99-
038, the decision to classify a property as agricultural is based on the use of the property
during the prior year or operating period. See In re Miami County Appraiser, 2012 WL
26
2149829, at *2 ("Certainly tax valuations for [January 1 of a taxable year] couldn't be
based on what happens in fall [of that same year]; the appraiser must send out the
classification and valuation notice each year by March 1."). Accordingly, Ihm's testimony
does not establish that either Kansas Star or Hardison performed agricultural activities on
the property in the year or operating period prior to January 1, 2014.

Kansas Star also points to Jortberg's testimony in support of its position. Jortberg
testified that the property was being used for "interim agricultural use" but it had
potential for future commercial development. However, Jortberg did not testify that it
was being used for agricultural use on the date of valuation, and he testified that he did
not recall whether soy beans had been planted or if there was hay growing on the
property as of his visit in January 2014.

Given that Kansas Star failed to present evidence from which BOTA could have
properly concluded that the leased acreage was devoted to agricultural use as of January
1, 2014, BOTA's decision was legally correct and supported by substantial competent
evidence.

C. Evidence of commercial use

Alternatively, Kansas Star argues the County failed to show that the leased
acreage was being used for commercial purposes on the valuation date of January 1,
2014. The County, while not disputing that it bore the burden of proving the classification
of the property, counters that Kansas Star grossly misstated the requirements imposed on
the County to meet this burden.

The County notes that on May 15, 2013, the DPV issued a memorandum to all
Kansas county appraisers, titled "Classification of Non-Productive Land within a Single
Agricultural Operation," which addressed the issue of proper classification for
27
nonproductive areas of a tract predominantly used for agriculture. In the memorandum,
the Division of Property Valuation noted: "The non-use of a portion of a commercial
building does not lead to a mixed use classification, even though the non-used area can be
clearly identified. Rather the classification is based on the devoted and primary use of the
property." DPV Directive #99-038 provides: "Real property with varying uses may be
assigned more than one classification. If the uses are so intermingled as to defy
classifying identifiable, physical portions of the property, then the property should be
classified based upon its predominate use." Kansas Star argues the property is not so
intermingled that it cannot be separated, but it presented no evidence that the 63.5 acres
was devoted to agricultural use during the prior year.

Here, the County presented evidence of a casino operating on the subject property
of 195.5 acres, which was valued as a whole. There is no dispute that the subject
property's primary use is commercial gaming. At the time Kansas Star acquired the total
site, it intended to use the Wyant tract for future development, such as an RV park, a
maintenance building, livestock feed and supply improvements, or other types of future
development. Instead, in December 2013, Kansas Star leased the land to Hardison for
farming.

While the 63.5 acres leased to Hardison may not have been actively used for
commercial purposes as of January 1, 2014, there was no evidence that it was used
otherwise. The County is not required to assign separate property classifications to
nonproductive portions of a property primarily used for commercial purposes. The
County presented sufficient evidence of the property's primary use, and BOTA's decision
to uphold the County's property classification was supported by substantial competent
evidence.

28
DID BOTA ERR IN REJECTING LENNHOFF'S COST APPROACH?

Kansas Star argues that BOTA erred in rejecting Lennhoff's cost approach for two
reasons: (1) BOTA mistakenly found that Lennhoff relied on the same material facts in
his 2013 appraisal as he did in his 2014 appraisal, and (2) Lennhoff's cost approach was
more credible and should not have been rejected.

A. A comparison of Lennhoff's 2013 appraisal to his 2014 appraisal

Lennhoff appraised the property at a value of $71 million based on his market
extraction analysis. He opined that Kansas Star's casino and arena were 40% depreciated,
resulting in a value reduction in excess of $46 million.

The market extraction method of estimating depreciation "relies on the availability
of comparable sales from which depreciation can be extracted. It makes use of direct
comparisons with sales of comparable properties." The Appraisal of Real Estate,
Appraisal Institute, 605 (14th ed. 2013). However, "the market extraction method should
only be used if sufficient data exists and if the quality of that data is adequate to permit
meaningful analysis." The Appraisal of Real Estate, Appraisal Institute, 605 (14th ed.
2013).

For tax year 2013, Lennhoff measured depreciation by comparing Kansas Star's
casino and arena to (1) the 2001 sale of the back-of-house portion of the Sam's Town
Casino in Kansas City, Missouri (later converted to a corporate training facility) and (2)
the 2012 sale of an ice arena in Overland Park with a broken chiller system (later
converted to a basketball and soccer facility). BOTA found this analysis to be unreliable.

In tax year 2014, Lennhoff again attempted to apply the market extraction method
but this time compared the casino and arena to (1) the 2005 sale of an indoor sports arena
29
in Blue Springs, Missouri, and (2) the same sale of the ice arena with the broken chiller
system. BOTA again rejected this analysis, stating: "The Board finds that the challenges
and deficiencies in accurately valuing the subject land value and estimating depreciation
via the cost approach found by the Board in the prior tax year's appeal are similarly
present at instant."

Kansas Star claims the facts that Lennhoff relied on in 2014 were materially
different from the facts he relied on in 2013, meaning BOTA's decision to reject the 2014
appraisal for the same reasons it rejected the 2013 appraisal was arbitrary and
unreasonable. This is an incorrect characterization of BOTA's ruling. When BOTA
referenced Lennhoff's 2013 methodology as justification for again rejecting his analysis
in 2014, it merely found that Lennhoff's comparable sales were unreliable and
unpersuasive, as it found in 2013. In fact, Lennhoff acknowledged the shortcomings in
his comparables. When read in context, it is evident that BOTA very much understood
the weaknesses in Lennhoff's comparables and simply repeated the same concerns about
the lack of reliable comparables as it had in 2013.

B. Rejection of Lennhoff's cost approach

Kansas Star next argues that BOTA erred in rejecting Lennhoff's cost approach
because it failed to give proper weight to evidence from expert Morowitz, as well Boyd
Gaming employees Ihm and Runde. Kansas Star claims the evidence corroborated
Lennhoff's conclusion that the subject property suffered from functional obsolescence.
The County maintains that Kansas Star's argument is merely another request for us to
reweigh the evidence or engage in de novo review, which we cannot do. See K.S.A. 2017
Supp. 77-621(d). BOTA's decision to reject Lennhoff's cost approach was supported by
substantial competent evidence.

30
The County further argues that the notion that superadequacy can adequately be
identified by simply evaluating the arena's contribution to overall profitability improperly
disregards KELA's effect on fair market value. See K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 79-503a(j)
(restrictions or requirements imposed on the use of the real estate by government bodies
are factors to consider in determining fair market value). Kansas Star compares its arena
to a swimming pool in an apartment complex that costs $5,000 per year to operate but
generates no additional revenue. The County notes the flaw with this analogy, pointing
out that an apartment complex is not legally required to have a pool, but the removal of
the arena at the casino would result in Kansas Star being in noncompliance with KELA
and the management contract, placing its gaming license at risk.

Kansas Star argues that it could have adequately served the same gaming market
with a smaller facility and no arena, but, through KELA, the Legislature imposed a $225
million minimum investment requirement and further required each of the four casinos to
be at a specified destination location. See K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 74-8734(d). KELA required
the Lottery Commission to consider (1) the size of the proposed facility; (2) its location
as a tourist and entertainment destination; and (3) agreements related to ancillary
facilities as part of the approval process. See K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 74-8734(e). Kansas Star
voluntarily included an arena in its bid and, by doing so, became contractually obliged to
build and operate the arena.

Functional obsolescence can take two forms: functional inadequacy and
functional superadequacy. Functional inadequacy is a deficiency in the structure,
materials, or design of an improvement, such as too few bathrooms in a residence or low
warehouse ceiling heights. The Appraisal of Real Estate, Appraisal Institute, 623 (14th
ed. 2013). Functional superadequacy is "some aspect of the subject property [that]
exceeds market norms" or special features built to the owner's specifications that "would
not appeal to the market in general," such as an expensive in-ground swimming pool in a
31
low-cost neighborhood or a warehouse building with excess office space. The Appraisal
of Real Estate, Appraisal Institute, 623 (14th ed. 2013).

Kansas Star argues that the evidence in the record supports its superadequacy
position because the arena has been unprofitable and its overall gaming enterprise made
more money in the temporary casino. Kansas Star points to testimony and evidence that
the arena is not profitable and decreases the value of the overall subject property.
Additional evidence was presented that the arena was oversized relative to the market.
But there is also evidence showing that Kansas Star does not operate its gaming
enterprise in the same marketplace as casinos that do not have the protections from
competition or the building and operation requirements imposed by KELA. Under
KELA, Kansas Star was required to build and maintain the casino and arena which it
included in its bid that won the license. And in this market, (1) Kansas Star exceeded its
revenue projection for 2014 by the end of 2013 by approximately 16.3%; and (2) Kansas
Star's actual profit margin was 37.6%, which exceeded the average profit margin for the
companies Jortberg reviewed by 14.5% and the average profit margin for the companies
Lennhoff reviewed by 18.8%.

The County maintains that in the actual market in which any hypothetical sale of
the subject property would take place, a hypothetical buyer would agree to pay, at a
minimum, the cost to construct the arena and casino as built because those facilities are
integral to any operator's ability to legally conduct a monopoly gaming enterprise on the
property. The County's position is confirmed by the real world sale of the property—
Boyd Gaming purchased the property as part of its acquisition of Peninsula Gaming—
without any recognized reduction in value for either the arena or the casino. BOTA did
not err by rejecting Kansas Star's claim that the value of the property had depreciated by
40% as the evidence in the record supports BOTA's conclusion.

32
DID BOTA ERR IN ADOPTING ITS OWN INCOME ALLOCATION APPROACH TO VALUE?

Both Kansas Star and the County agree that BOTA's income allocation analysis in
tax year 2014 is unsupported by substantial competent evidence. For this reason, the
parties assert that BOTA's decision is unreasonable, arbitrary, and capricious.

A. Did BOTA err in rejecting Jortberg's cost approach?

The County argues that BOTA's decision to reject Jortberg's depreciation analysis
is faulty in a number of respects. First, it points to the fact that BOTA's rejection of
Jortberg's depreciation analysis in 2013 was overturned by the district court on appeal,
theorizing that BOTA's similar rejection of Jortberg's depreciation analysis for 2014 must
be faulty as well. For tax year 2013, the district court adopted Jortberg's depreciation
analysis, holding:

"On this critical issue of functional obsolescence, or super adequacy as framed by
the taxpayer, the court is persuaded that the county's evidence and argument is superior to
that of the taxpayer. As the county states, the casino is new construction designed and
built by experienced gaming facility operators. There should be no functional
obsolescence. As to the claim of super adequacy, the taxpayer fails to account for the fact
that this is property licensed for operation of a monopoly casino under [KELA]. The
casino had to be of a certain size in order for the taxpayer to be awarded the management
contract. The arena was part of the total package presented to the state in order for
Kansas Star to be awarded the management contract. Any purchaser buying the land for
purposes of operating a casino under a KELA management contract would have to buy or
construct similarly 'super adequate' facilities in order to qualify for the management
contract. Finally, as the county notes, when the property in question was purchased by
Boyd Gaming there was no indication that any discount was given for any 'external factor
. . . identified as a source of value loss.'"

33
We addressed this issue in the companion case 115,587 and found, limited by our
standard of review there, that the district court's conclusion that the property did not
suffer from functional obsolescence was supported by substantial competent evidence.
However, our decision to affirm the district court on the issue of functional obsolescence
does not constitute an endorsement. It simply means there was enough evidence in the
record to support the district court's finding. The fact-finder is the principal decider in
these instances, which means that our conclusion from the tax year 2013 appeal need not
be consistent with this 2014 appeal as the fact-finders are different and our standard of
review is deferential. See generally In re Tax Appeal of Fleet, 293 Kan. 768, 780-81, 272
P.3d 583 (2012) (collateral estoppel inapplicable for different tax years). Our role is not
to make a de novo determination as to the existence of functional obsolescence. In the
2014 tax year valuation, BOTA reached the opposite conclusion of the district court for
the 2013 tax year and rejected Jortberg's finding of no functional obsolescence. Our
review is limited to evaluating whether BOTA's decision is supported by substantial
competent evidence.

BOTA rejected both appraisers' depreciation analyses based in part on its prior
analysis of depreciation in tax year 2013. In 2013, BOTA provided the following
explanation for rejecting Jortberg's analysis:

"The Board is not persuaded by either parties' treatment of
obsolescence/depreciation under the cost approach. Jortberg failed to analyze any
potential superadequacy of construction even though superadequacy was a potential issue
given the KELA minimum investment requirement. Instead, Jortberg simply states that
'the appraiser notes no functional obsolescence.' County Exhibit #522, p. 54. Jortberg
stated in his report that no economic obsolescence existed because the business enterprise
value far exceeds the value of the real property. Jortberg performed no recognized
appraisal analysis to determine whether functional or economic obsolescence existed."

In 2014, BOTA summarily explained:
34

"The Board finds that the challenges and deficiencies in accurately valuing the
subject land value and estimating depreciation via the cost approach found by the Board
in the prior tax year's appeal are similarly present at instant. The instant record is replete
with evidence substantiating the Taxpayer's contention that the addition/opening of the
casino had a lower than expected financial impact on the Taxpayer's business."

BOTA appears to reject Jortberg's cost approach analysis in part because of his
alleged failure to consider superadequacy. Superadequacy is some aspect of the property
that exceeds market norms, such as "special features . . . that would not appeal to the
market in general." The Appraisal of Real Estate, Appraisal Institute, 623 (14th ed.
2013.) But the record shows that Jortberg considered superadequacy. In his 2014
appraisal report, Jortberg explained that he considered and rejected any functional
obsolescence:

"Functional obsolescence may be caused by such items as inadequacy or super
adequacy in size, style, mechanical equipment or other physical elements of the
property. The appraiser notes no functional obsolescence at the subject property. The
facility is new structure which incorporates best construction practices. The market
analysis indicates not only the ongoing construction of event centers/entertainment
arenas at casinos by casino owners but also the demand illustrated for smaller footprint
event centers to attract more numerous smaller shows as compared to the very large,
[publicly] supported facilities which are too large for many potential shows."

Jortberg testified that the property was not superadequate because the facilities
were built using best construction practices and it was necessary to build the facilities that
were ultimately built in order to obtain the management contract under KELA. Moreover,
Jortberg noted that during an actual market transaction involving the property, no
impairment, obsolescence, or superadequacy was recognized. BOTA's ruling is not
entirely clear, but it would be error for BOTA to base its decision to reject Jortberg's
approach based on his alleged failure to consider superadequacy.
35
This notwithstanding, a fair reading of BOTA's opinion suggests that it likely
rejected Jortberg's analysis based on its disagreement with his conclusion of no functional
obsolescence. By referencing the "lower than expected financial impact" of the arena,
BOTA appears to have concluded that there must be some functional/economic
obsolescence because a hypothetical buyer would not purchase an arena that does not
generate revenue sufficient to justify its cost of construction. The County complains that
this conclusion is fundamentally flawed because the arena was projected from the
beginning to operate at a loss. The County directs us to the materials submitted by Kansas
Star during the bid process projecting that the arena would sustain operating losses
ranging from $790,170 in 2013 to $534,046 in 2016. We note, however, that Kansas Star
cites evidence in the record disputing this expectation and in support of its expectation
that the arena would increase revenue.

A valid depreciation/obsolescence analysis "should reflect how an informed and
prudent buyer would react to the condition and quality of the property and the market in
which the property is found." The Appraisal of Real Estate, Appraisal Institute, 597 (14th
ed. 2013). Here, the County notes there is a genuine dispute that the market for the
subject property is controlled by KELA. Because of this factor, the County asserts that
BOTA erred in assuming that a hypothetical buyer would not pay for facilities such as the
arena because it did not independently operate at a profit. The County argues that in a
hypothetical sale, no discount for the arena would be recognized because the arena is a
legal requirement for either the buyer or seller to operate a gaming enterprise in the
market. The County asserts that BOTA's rejection of its cost approach analysis disregards
KELA's effect on the marketplace and is arbitrary and capricious.

The County's argument, in effect, asks us to reweigh the evidence and make our
own determination of the propriety of functional obsolescence. "We . . . do not reweigh
competing evidence or assess credibility of witnesses. The Board's findings will be
upheld . . . even though other evidence in the record would have supported contrary
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findings." Graham v. Dokter Trucking Group, 284 Kan. 547, 553-54, 161 P.3d 695
(2007). While we acknowledge the highly conflicted nature of the evidence in this case,
there is evidence supporting BOTA's decision to reject Jortberg's analysis based on his
conclusion that the property suffers from no functional obsolescence. Numerous
witnesses testified as to the depreciation of the arena and the lower than expected
revenues from the project. Because there is evidence in the record to support either
conclusion, we cannot find error in BOTA's conclusion.

The County also fails to persuade us that BOTA's decision to reject Jortberg's
opinion was arbitrary and capricious. The test for arbitrary and capricious conduct is
determining whether a particular action should have been taken or justified, such as the
reasonableness of an agency's exercise of discretion in reaching a determination or
whether the agency's action is without foundation in fact. Powell, 290 Kan. at 569. Here,
there is no showing that BOTA's decision was not supported by the evidence or that it
took a particular action without a basis in the record.

B. Is BOTA's income allocation approach supported by substantial competent
evidence?

Both parties agree that BOTA's income approach erroneously applied K.S.A. 2013
Supp. 79-503a and K.S.A. 2013 Supp. 79-505 when it did not rely on evidence in the
appraisals but merely split the difference and applied a median value with no evidence to
support its ruling. Specifically, the County asserts that the income allocation approach
adopted by BOTA is not supported by substantial competent evidence and is otherwise
unreasonable, arbitrary, and capricious. The County complains that BOTA's decision
merely "applies figures that back into . . . a resulting mid-range value." This makes our
review difficult because BOTA does not have counsel pointing to evidence in the record
in support of its findings. Accordingly, we are required to scour the record to determine
whether BOTA's income approach is supported by substantial competent evidence.
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Both Lennhoff and Jortberg used the income allocation approach in their
appraisals, but BOTA did not adopt the approach used by either appraiser. Instead,
BOTA established its own input values to reach its final value conclusion of $97.6
million. BOTA explained its decision as follows:

"The Board finds that utilizing the subject property's reported actual 2013 revenue with a
21% profit margin as supported by the median drawn from publicly traded properties in
the Jortberg appraisal yields an EBITDA of $42,600,000 (rounded). The Board further
finds that an EBIDTA multiplier of 7.64 is appropriate based on median data drawn from
transactional data in both appraisals. Upon review of the allocation analysis presented by
[Lennhoff], the Board finds that the median of 30% is the most appropriate reflection of
market allocation. Application of these income approach inputs results in a value of
$97,600,000, rounded, for the subject real property."

Both parties complain that BOTA applied median figures across the board to
achieve its value conclusion. Our research has failed to uncover a case employing a
similar approach. Generally, when this court has upheld an adjustment to a value that was
made by BOTA, it has looked for substantial competent evidence in the record supporting
such an adjustment. See In re Tax Appeal of Dillon Stores, 42 Kan. App. 2d 881, 888-89,
214 P.3d 707 (2009) (upholding BOTA's adjustment for freezer space/cooler space that
was not accounted for in the appraisal). Here, BOTA did not point to substantial evidence
in the record supporting its figures; rather, it admitted that it adjusted the values from the
two appraisers to show median values. This appears to be BOTA's version of splitting the
baby.

For its first instance of improper splitting of the difference, the County points to
BOTA's 21% profit margin figure as unsupported by substantial competent evidence in
the record. As has been discussed, the parties disagree as to how Kansas Star's monopoly
status should be accounted for in determining fair market value. Jortberg applied a 37.5%
profit margin, based on Kansas Star's actual profit margins in 2012 and 2013 (48% and
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37.6%, respectively), a review of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and
amortization (EBITDA) margins for a number of Colorado casinos, a study by Dean
Macomber, and EBITDA margins from publicly traded companies. In contrast, Lennhoff
ignored Kansas Star's actual profit margin because it occurred in a monopoly market; he
instead relied on a 20% margin based on an IBISWorld publication and his review of
profit margins from casinos in competitive markets.

BOTA began its income allocation approach analysis with Kansas Star's actual
revenue for 2013. BOTA found that the median profit margin from a table in Jortberg's
report was the best evidence of the profit margin in this case. BOTA explained: "The
Board finds that utilizing the subject property's reported actual 2013 revenue with a 21%
profit margin as supported by the median drawn from publicly traded properties in the
Jortberg appraisal yields an EBITDA of $42,600,000 (rounded)."

After estimating EBITDA, BOTA applied an EBITDA multiplier of 7.64 based on
median data drawn from transactional data in both appraisals. Finally, BOTA applied a
30% real estate allocation percentage based on the median figure from a table in
Lennhoff's report as the most appropriate reflection of market allocation. After applying
this figure, BOTA concluded that the fair market value of the subject property for tax
year 2014 was $97.6 million.

The County complains that BOTA's decision to take the median drawn from
publicly traded properties in the Jortberg appraisal results in a reduction of fair market
value in excess of $76 million. BOTA chose a 21% profit margin when Kansas Star had
an actual profit margin of $37.6%. The County further points to the fact that even if
BOTA could justify using the median figure from Jortberg's report, the actual median
figure was 21.9%, not 21%, resulting in a difference of valuation of $4.2 million.

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The County also points out that this analysis ignores the fact that the property
operates in a monopoly market under KELA. As such, any hypothetical sale would occur
under this condition, and BOTA is required to consider KELA's effect on the value of the
property. See K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 79-503a (identifying components of fair market value
that must be considered, including restrictions imposed on the use of the real estate).

Finally, the County complains that BOTA settled for its own income allocation
approach and arbitrarily chose a median profit margin from Jortberg's appraisal report as
the best number to use. BOTA does not explain how this median number better
represents the profit margin that specifically applies to Kansas Star. The County
acknowledges that BOTA is not required to render the explanation for its findings in
detail, but the explanation must be "specific enough to allow judicial review of the
reasonableness of the order." Zinke & Trumbo, Ltd. v. Kansas Corporation Comm'n, 242
Kan. 470, 475, 749 P.2d 21 (1988). We must "review the agency's explanation as to why
the evidence supports its findings." Rhodenbaugh v. Kansas Employment Sec. Bd. of
Review, 52 Kan. App. 2d 621, 631, 372 P.3d 1252 (2016). However, "we may not supply
a reasoned basis for the agency's action that the agency itself has not given." Motor
Vehicle Mfrs. Assn. v. State Farm Mut., 463 U.S. 29, 43, 103 S. Ct. 2856, 77 L. Ed. 2d
443 (1983) (citing SEC v. Chenery Corp., 332 U.S. 194, 196, 67 S. Ct. 1575, 91 L. Ed.
195 [1947]).

The essence of the County's argument is that BOTA seems to have selected figures
out of thin air and has provided no explanation for its 21% profit margin. We must agree.
BOTA provides little to no explanation for this figure, making it impossible for us to
determine whether the figure is supported by substantial competent evidence.
Accordingly, BOTA's adoption of a compromise profit margin of 21% is arbitrary and
capricious.

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C. Is BOTA's 7.64 EBITDA multiplier supported by substantial competent evidence?

The County also disputes BOTA's decision to apply a 7.64 EBITDA multiplier as
part of its income analysis. In considering the appropriate multiplier, Lennhoff advocated
for an EBITDA multiplier of 7.5, while Jortberg estimated the multiplier to be between
7.9 and 9.5. Again, BOTA selected neither option and applied an EBITDA multiplier of
7.64, summarily explaining: "The Board . . . finds that an EBITDA multiplier of 7.64 is
appropriate based on median data drawn from transactional data in both appraisals."

The County claims that neither party has been able to replicate BOTA's
calculation. Each party's expert analyzed 10 transactions as part of his analysis. Of the 10
Lennhoff reviewed, the average EBITDA multiplier was 7.82 and the median was 7.68.
Of the 10 Jortberg reviewed, the average was 8.1, while the median (which Jortberg did
not calculate) would have been 7.5. The combined list of data from both experts includes
three duplicates. Accounting for each duplicate only once, the median EBITDA
multiplier of the combined 17 transactions is 7.68, not 7.64. Because neither party can
ascertain how BOTA derived its 7.64 EBITDA multiplier, the County argues that
BOTA's conclusion cannot be supported by substantial competent evidence. We agree.

Even assuming BOTA had calculated the median EBITDA multiplier correctly,
BOTA did not explain why the median figure was the proper figure to apply. USPAP
Standard 1-1(a) requires appraisers to "be aware of, understand, and correctly employ
those recognized methods and techniques that are necessary to produce a credible
appraisal." Had either appraiser suggested that the applicable EBITDA multiplier could
be determined by selecting the median figure from a list of 17 transactions, that
methodology might have been challenged as a violation of USPAP. "[USPAP] standards
are embodied in the statutory scheme of valuation, and a failure by BOTA to adhere to
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them may constitute a deviation from a prescribed procedure or an error of law." Dillon
Stores, 42 Kan. App. 2d at 890. BOTA cannot apply a methodology the appraisers
themselves could not.

The record contains no evidence that (a) the Ameristar Casino—the only
transaction with a 7.64 EBITDA multiplier—is comparable to Kansas Star; (b) selecting
the median EBITDA multiplier from a list of 17 transactions is a statistically significant
or persuasive methodology for selecting an EBITDA multiplier; or (c) the median
EBITDA multiplier from the parties' combined transactional data is otherwise persuasive
evidence in light of the record as a whole. BOTA's decision to apply a 7.64 EBITDA
multiplier is unsupported by substantial competent evidence and is arbitrary and
capricious.

D. Is BOTA's 30% real estate allocation percentage supported by substantial
competent evidence?

Finally, the County argues that BOTA applied a 30% real estate allocation
percentage—based on the median figure in a chart in Lennhoff's appraisal—that had no
support in the record. The record presented contains no evidence that selecting the
median figure from a list of eight transactions (1) comports with USPAP; (2) is a
statistically significant or appropriate methodology for determining real estate allocation
percentage; or (3) is otherwise persuasive evidence in light of the record as a whole.
BOTA's decision to apply a 30% real estate allocation percentage is not supported by
substantial evidence and is unreasonable, arbitrary, and capricious.

In conclusion, and for the reasons set forth above, BOTA's decision to adopt its
own income allocation approach analysis is unsupported by the record, is arbitrary and
capricious, and must be reversed.

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Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded with directions for BOTA to
apply an approach to value that is supported by substantial competent evidence in the
record.