Assessment-rule hearings to proceed: Oil refinery valuations could change if the state Board of Equalization approves the new regulation.

Byline: Rick Jurgens

Jun. 28--Some California oil refinery owners could pay higher property taxes after the state Board of Equalization voted Tuesday to proceed with public hearings on a new assessment rule. By a 3-2 vote, the board overrode a recommendation from its staff and decided to consider a rule sought by county assessors that has been under review since January 2005. Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer testified in favor of the rule, which would affect assessments by local officials of 20 California refineries currently valued at more than $30 billion. "Refineries should be looked at as a single economic unit just like the average homeowner is," Kramer said in …