Board of Equalization and Appeals 2016

April 21, 2016

Meeting was called to order by Chairman Mark Platta at 10:00. 

 The pledge of allegiance was recited.

All of Crow Wing Township Supervisors, Greg Smith, Mark Platta and Dave Schultz were in attendance. Bob Miller and his team were in attendance from the Crow Wing County Land Services Department. Township Clerk Susan Amick was present to record the meeting minutes.

Bob Miller presented a "Local Board of Appeal and Equalization" fact sheet and reviewed the calculations with the Supervisors. The details of the fact sheet were discussed in detail.  Supervisors asked clarifying questions on the figures.  Dave Schultz’s property was used as a visual example of how property is evaluated & categorized for market value.

After examining Dave Schultz’s property Parcel # 540281300000009 it was determined that there is a portion of his property that may be miscatagorized, a current area assessed as “high wooded” may be actually need to be changed to “low wooded” which has a lower tax cost.  The matter will be passed on to the county board to look into.  Dave will be contacted with the decision.

Mr. Miller brought two situations to the board supervisors for approval:

Emma & James Pettit property (.52 acres), Sheri Vogel power of attorney.  Mr. Miller shared the recommendation to change the property value from $23,300 to $12,200.  Mark made a motion to approve the change, Dave seconded it.  Motion passed.

Bruce Banks on Greenwood Street.  His home was re-measured to get accurate dimensions at his request.  Mr. Miller recommended a value change from $211,400 – $208,800.  Dave made a motion to accept the change, Greg seconded it.  Motion approved.

Parcel #561050010060009 Sue Pokovich was present to inquire about a drop in her property value.  It was determined that the value had not been “COG’d” (common owner group) before.  Mr. Miller explained to her that the county is now being more precise in land evaluation which is altering values.  Currently the way it is determined is saving her in property tax costs.  Ms Pokovich was assured that her property will easily sell for a fair price when she wishes to do so & the way it is currently classified will not affect that.  She was advised as to how to structure her sale with her three parcels when she decides to do so at some point in the future.  Her property (3 parcels) is worth less bundled together, but worth more if sold separately.

Brad Arnold was present with a few clarifying questions on multiple properties.  Parcel #5403223003A0009 and Parcel #5403223003B0009.  One of his properties appears to require reclassification.  It was also recommended to Mr. Arnold that he consider applying for managed forest land to save money.  Dave Made a motion to split classify one of Mr. Arnold’s parcels and take two other parcels and COG (common owner group) them, resulting in values being refigured for Mr. Arnold. Mark seconded it.  Motion passed.  Mr. Arnold will be contacted by the Land Services Department with adjusted values.

The meeting adjourned at 11:40am