04-20-2005 Council Minutes Board of Appeal & Equalization

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4 MINUTES OF THE: ORONO BOARD OF APPEAL AND EQUALIZATION Wednesday, April 20, 2005 7:00 o'clock p.m. • Perl stated he has not had any contact with the Assessor's Office and that his taxes have more than doubled in two years. Perl indicated the roads near his residence are also in very poor shape and that he would be willing to pay more in taxes if the roads were improved. Perl noted the amount of traffic on Watertown Road has greatly increased, which has led to the deterioration of the road. White noted that some of the roads in this area are county or state roads. White indicated the City of Orono is probably the third lowest taxing city in Hennepin County and that the City attempts to improve some of the roads every year. White noted the roads were unable to be repaired earlier in the year due to the cold weather but that repairs are now being done to some of the roads. Perl stated Watertown Road is also being used considerably more since the Old Crystal Bay Road bridge was removed and that the road has deteriorated considerably. McMillan indicated the City of Orono currently does not have a road fund and noted that the City does not collect all the taxes assessed against a property. The Board requested the Assessor visit the Perl property 4. Steve Poley, 2605 Thoroughbred, PID 04- 117 -23 110022. Poley indicated in his opinion his taxes are too high and that according to the Hennepin County web site, his neighbors are assessed lower than his. Poley stated he has a completely unfinished basement and a smaller house than some of the other • residences in the immediate neighborhood. Peterson inquired how big of an increase from last year Poley has experienced. Poley stated his taxes have increased approximately 15 percent from last year. Poley noted he has not spoken with the assessor. Poley stated he would be agreeable to paying more taxes if his basement were finished. The Board requested the Assessor visit the Poley property. 5. Scott Winton, 2140 Carriage Lane, PID 10- 117 -23 24 0035. Winton indicated he also has visited the Hennepin County web site and has compared the taxes of his neighbors with his residence. Winton stated he constructed his house approximately four years ago and that his basement is not finished and has less square footage than that of his neighbors. Winton stated according to the web site, his taxes are the highest in his neighborhood. Winton noted his taxes were decreased slightly last year after speaking with someone from the Assessor's Office, but that he is currently paying $11,850 and the other houses with more square footage and a pool are paying between approximately $8,900 and $10,000. McMillan indicated what is important to this Board is the valuation of the property. C] PAGE 4