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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-04-2009 Board of Appeal and Equalization Reconvened MinutesC3� MINUTES OF TAE • RECONVENED ORONO BOARD OF APPEAL AND EQUALIZATION Monday, May 4, 2009 6:00 o'clock p.m. ROLL Members present: Mayor Jim White and Council Members Lili McMillan and Jim Murphy Members Absent: Council Members Cynthia Bremer and Doug Franchot Staff present: Hennepin County Appraiser Nate Stulc and Assistant County Assessor Bill Effertz, City Administrator Bill Wells and City Clerk Lin Vee .. " Mayor White reconvened the Board of Appeal and Equalization at 6:01 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Murphy moved, McMillan seconded, to approve the minutes of the April 27, 2009 meeting of the Orono Board of Appeal and Equalization as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 3, Nays 0. COUNCIL ACTION ON ASSESSOR'S RECOMMENDATION Stulc reviewed the Assessor recommendations for the audience members as follows: - Heather Johnstone, 3285 Crystal Bay Road, original 2009 estimated market value of $910,000 — • no change recommended - Jon Hofer, 3339 Crystal Bay Road, original 2009 estimated market value of $712,000 —no change recommended - John Henrich, 4125 Highwood Road, original 2009 estimated "market value of $1,709,000 —no change recommended. Stulc noted that he visited the property to re- measure the square footage and verify that the correct information was on file with the Assessor's office. Murphy verified that Stulc had personal contact with those who had questions from the April 27f' meeting and that he has reviewed comparables submitted by the property owners. Stulc noted that a memo was submitted to Council indicating that there was a typographical error in the original recommendation for Robert Devere, 2670 Countryside Drive West, and the Assessor was correcting the recommendation from $876,000 to $824,000. The owner was advised of the change. White stated the next step is to appeal to the Hennepin County Board of Appeal for those property owners who do not agree with the values approved by the Orono Board of Appeal and Equalization. Hofer indicated he was looking for input from Council and that attending the last 3 meetings had been a waste of his time. White stated that Council can make adjustments to valuations if they find something extremely out of line. They review information submitted by the Assessor and believe he is competent to do his job. Adjustments were made to some properties, but not to the three properties that are represented at this meeting. Property owners have the responsibility to prove that the Assessor doesn't have accurate • information. , Page 1 of 2 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 • •