05-04-2009 Council Minutes Reconvened Board of Appeal & Equalization

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Johnstone stated she went to Minnetonka Beach and got information from their assessor for a comparable property. The Minnetonka Beach Assessor gave the general statement that lakeshore property is down 4.2 %. 0 Murphy responded that he appreciates the comments, but the meetings are an important part of the process. The Council can't arbitrarily adjust property values, and he reiterated that Council has made some valuation changes depending on the evidence submitted. McMillan noted there are variables amongst the cities around Lake Minnetonka. Stulc stated that neighboring cities are not used for comparisons for setting the level. of assessment and judgment from the Department of Revenue. , Occasionally individual properties close to municipal borders would be considered for-comparisons. White suggested the property owners in attendance bring their objections to the County Board where a different County appraiser will be assigned to look at the property. Effertz stated the County Board will meet on June 15 with a filing deadline of June 3. Stulc added that a different County Assessor will take a fresh look at the property and review comparables. The Assessor will call the owner with his/her recommendation. The property owner has three options'- to continue the appeal, cancel the process, or concur with the recommendation. Effertz explained the County Board is not a large meeting. Owners have set times to appear. The meeting is held at the Hennepin County Government Center in the auditorium. If the owner agrees with the Hennepin County Assessor's recommendation for an adjustment, they don't have to appear at the County Board. Murphy stated the process is designed to have a built -in lag process of about one year, and values change yearly. He added that the legislature can make changes at any time and recently there has been a difference between the market rate and adjusted rate. Effertz stated the Assessors continue to make adjustments and follow market values. There is a State Statute that designates values as of January 2 and he can provide the language of that statute. Henrich commented that the value of his property is twice as much as any on Highwood and this should have been jumped out as an indicator to look at adjusting the property value. He intends to proceed to the next level. Murphy moved, McMillan seconded, the acceptance of the County Assessor's recommendations as presented at the April 27, 2009 meeting and amended to include the adjusted recommendation for Robert Devere, 2670 Countryside Drive West. VOTE: Ayes 3, Nays 0. ADJOURNMENT McMillan moved, Murphy seconded, to conclude the Orono Board of Appeal and Equalization at 6:35 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 3, Nays 0 ATTEST: Linda S. Vee, Orono City Clerk 6Ja es M. White, Mayor Page 2 of 2 • •