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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOR May 3, 1979 · ~ o¡ ANDOVER BOARD OF REVIEW - MAY 3, 1979 MINUTES The Regular Board of Review for the City of Andover was called to order by Mayor Jerry Windschitl on May 3, 1979, 7:18 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Anoka, Minnesota. Councilmen present: Jacobson, Lachinski, Orttel Councilman absent: Peach Also present: City Assessor, Charles Tri9gs; Assistant, Howard Triggs; County Assessor, Gordon Starke; City Clerk, P. K. Lindquist; and residents Mayor Windschitl introduced Mr. Charles Triggs and explained the procedure for the Board of Review noting that this Council can only consider property values to be taxed in the year 1980. Any questions relative to 1979 taxes must go through the abatement process with the County. The followin9 residents presented their cases: Walter J. Vosika, 1414 Bunker Lake Boulevard - Plat 65935, Parcels 2400 and 3000 There are two 40-acre parcels. He reviewed how both parcels went up in both estimated market value and limited market value since 1977 and questioned why the value of the house increased so much. He also noted that the buildin9 is very old. Mr. Triggs reviewed the value of the house structure itself, which went up $400 from the 1978 to 1979 assessment, and the value of the land under Green Acres. Mr. Starke explained that limited market value can increase 10 percent from last year's limited value or 25 percent of the difference between last year's limited and this year's market value, whichever is greater. This excludes any new or added construction to the property from the previous assessment. The estimated market value is the value assigned by the City Assessor. The assessment of the market value is only what this Board can consider. The 1 imited market value is strictly a calcuation from a formula given by the State. Mr. Triggs also explained that the value of the land for Parcel 3000 is actually $75 less than the 1977 assessment. Discussion was also on the procedures used by the City Assessor, in that he must physically view one quarter of the properties and all new construction in the City, and that basically a 9 percent increase on structures was applied on all properties not visited by the Assessor this year. Mr. Vosika presented a letter from his insurance company stating his property did not meet their underwriting standards so they would be unable to renew his insurance policy. He also stated he has had a lot of break-ins into his house, the roof is in poor condition, and he has extension cords for electricity. He could not dispute the assessed value of the house structure, but couldn't see why it went up so much in value, especially when his insurance company obviously disagrees. It was decided that Mr. Triggs and Mr. Starke will make a determination as to whether this property should be viewed again. No action was taken by the City Council. Sandy Myers, 4115 147th Lane NW - Plat 67615, Parcel 0600 Ms. Myers explained this is a new home, construction began in June, 1978, and felt the property valuation was way out of line. They are finishing it themselves, and she felt it was about 75 percent completed at this time. They own 4.7 acres. She also asked if it is possible to obtain a list of criteria used for determining ." ... Board of Review May 3, 1979 - Minutes Page 2 (Sandy Myers, Continued) market value on property. In reviewing the assessment, it was determined that the square footage may be in error. The records indicate there is a living area over the garage. The Myers testified that that is separated from the house by a breezeway and is not insulated nor to be finished. Mr. Triggs will recheck the property to determine correct square footage and percentage of completion. Ms. Myers was told that the County Assessor's office should be able to give the criteria used for determining market value on homes and that Mr. Triggs would be able to note what is used to determine market value on their own home. Eileen Hanson, 2215 140th Lane NW - Plat 68110, Parcel 0570 She asked how their home, built last October, is being assessed. She also asked what her taxes would be based on the assessed value. Mr. Triggs reviewed the records with Ms. Hanson and noted that the rate for structures to homes is given to him by the County. The County computes a rate based on recent sales of homes. Land value is determined separately and added onto the structure values. The rate applied to land is also determined by the County computed on similiar sales. Land value is determined by the rate supplied by the County plus any special assessments. Mr. Starke stated that because of the many law changes, he could not determine what the tax would be on her property at this time. No action was taken by the City Council. Allen Mickle, 17130 Navajo Street NW - Plat 67250, Parcel 0600 He felt his taxes are too high and questioned why those with considerably more house than his pay less taxes. His taxes have gone up over 10 percent from the previous statement. Mr. Triggs reviewed the records, which indicated the house was viewed this year. Discussion was on the valuation of a 2x6-foot indention in the front of the house with the roof overhang above it, considered for tax purposes as an open porch valued at $7 a foot. Mr. Triggs noted that this procedure on open porches has been followed throughout the City as recommended by the County. In reviewjng .the records, it was determined that there was an error in the square footage calculation of the garage. The records showed a 24x24 square foot garage plus 6xlO behind the foyer for 696 square feet. It should be 636 square feet. The mathematical error of 60 square feet valued at $7 equals a reduction in valuation of $420. MOTION by Jacobson, Seconded by Lachinski, that we make a reduction for Mr. Allen Mickle, 17130 Navajo Street NW, Plat No. 67250, Parcel No. 0600, from the valuation of $57,100 to the valuation of $56,680. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Mickle then asked what happens if he still feels the total taxes are out of line. It was explained if the Assessor has used the rates supplied by the County and if the dimensions are correct, then this Board would not be able to change anything without changing everybody's in the entire City. If there is an argument as to the County's rates, Mr. Mickle has the right to appear at the County Board of Review on July 2, 1979. Discussion on this property was also that the records show that the house was incomplete on December, 1977. Mr. Mickle testified that the house was complete at that time, which means that the estimated market value for 1978 was lower than it should have been. No further Council action was taken. Board of Review May 3, 1979 - Minutes Page 3 Ann Sikora, 11 177 Avenue NW - Plat 65901, Parcel 1800 She stated they have been paying taxes for 30 years, and taxes have been rising continually. She and her husband are both retired and questioned how to pay rising taxes on fixed incomes. No improvements have been made on the house for the last seven or eight years, and the value increased $10,600 over last year. She asked if there isn't a law to freeze the taxes for senior citizens. Mr. Starke explained that there was a property tax freeze which has been repealed and replaced with the property tax refund. Mr. Triggs reviewed the records for their 20 acres and the new house, explaining that the market value increased only 4.4 percent over last year, which also includes the depreciation on the house. Mr. Triggs also reviewed the market value on a 40-acre parcel of the Sikoras, noting the value is the same as that in 1977; and reviewed Parcel 10, 39.9 acres with an old house on it, noting that that value was less than the previous year due to the depreciation on the house. It was determined that the net increase in market value for all properties was $2,200. No action was taken by the City Council. William Sikora, 17800 University Avenue - Plat 65901, Parcel 1810 According to his calculations, his estimated market value increased 19 percent from last year and limited market value increased 21 percent. A garage was added to his property that is 616 square feet. He built the garage for $2,000. It was determined that the market value for the garage is $4,312. Mr. Starke noted that there is no difference in assessment value for detached or attached garages and that garages are assessed at $7.50 a square foot, which is determined by the County on a formula based on the market for sale of garages. Mr. Sikora felt the valuation of the garage was extremely high and that the City of Andover should look at the assessment of garages. He felt there should be a difference in valuation between an attached and detached garage. No action was taken by the City Council. Peter Stahman, 4550 146th Avenue NW - Plat 67645, Parcel 0610 He asked if properties were basically raised 9 or 10 percent if the property was not viewed. Mr. Triggs stated the properties were raised a flat 9 percent unless there was new construction. Older houses are raised 9 percent but depreciation, which amounts to approximately one percent a year, offsets some of that. The rates are supplied by the County and are applied throughout the County, which are then adjusted for each market area. No action was taken by the City Council. Francis Daly, 16860 Roanoke Street NW - Plat 65980, Parcel 7200 Mr. Daly reviewed the valuations in his property for 1978 and 1979, where the estimated market value increased over 50 percent on a house that is over 100 years old. The house was moved onto the property around the turn of the century, has a partial stone basement, has no central heating, no new additions, needs a lot of repair, the understructure needs repair, and there is a lot of wood rot. Mr. Triggs reviewed the records indicating he had viewed the property and measured the house. He also explained that because of the new State adjustments on depreciations, the depreciation on this house was changed to show it depreciated down to 63 percent whereas last year it was a 90 percent depreciation, which would explain the large increase in market value. The land value hasn't been changed in three years. It was agreed that Mr. Triggs and the County Assessor would view this property again. Board of Review May 3, 1979 - Minutes Page 4 Philip Frederickson, 13641 Heather Street NW - Plat 65933, Parcel 5770 He felt the market value and taxes are too high and wanted to know what square footage the records show and how the estimated value was arrived at. Mr. Triggs reviewed the records. Mr. Frederickson had no disput on the dimensions in the records. No action was taken by the Council. Jerry Mengelkoch, 15710 Sycamore Street NW - Plat 65914, Parcel 9025 He stated his market value increased 15.6 percent and nothing has been done to his house. Mr. Triggs stated he had viewed the property twice in 1978. He had applied a split entry value to the house and applied an eight percent depreciation. It was determined that there is a miscalculation in value for the 928 square feet of finished basement. The records indicate a value of $9,640 for the finished portion of the basement; it should be $4,640. Mr. Triggs will have the recomputed figure for the Continued Board of Review. Garrett Heltemes, 17715 Yellow Pine Street - Plat 65902, Parcel 4470 He stated his estimated market value increased approximately 25 percent. The house is three years old. A driveway was added last year. In reviewing the records, it was discovered that the house was built in 1977, and was not inspected again in 1978. The 1978 value shows only 9 percent applied to it. The records were brought up to show 100 percent completion for 1979. Discussion was also on what some thought to be a disparity in applying a $5 value on decks and on 9arages as well. Mayor Windschitl hoped the County would look into classifying the decks relative to the kind of lumber used to make it more equitable. No action was taken by the City Council. Allan A. Jedneak, 17105 Navajo NW - Plat 67250, Parcel 0350 He called and was told he was being assessed approximately $1,000 for a building that does not exist. He took a building permit out last year, but the building does not exist as of yet. He also stated he was told he is being assessed an extra $1,000 on the land. He felt his taxes were too high and stated that the estimated and limited values are both the same. In reviewing the records, Mr. Triggs noted that the second garage for which the building permit was applied for is not shown in the records. The lot value is not for anything out of the ordinary. Mr. Jedneak was told that his limited value finally caught up with the estimated value. It was also noted that the concept of limited value is being challenged at this time, which may result in changes in the law in the future. No action was taken by the City Council. Dean Sundeen, 17275 Navajo NW - Plat 67250, Parcel 0050 Mr. Sundeen asked what he is being taxed for and how the estimated value was arrived at. Mr. Triggs reviewed the dimensions and rates applied to a rambler built in 1978, plus land value. No action was taken by the City Council. Don Jacobson, Plat 65925, Parcel 0040 He asked for the dimensions of his house and how the estimated value was arrived at. No action was taken by the City Council. Board of Review May 3, 1979 - Minutes Page 5 MOTION by Lachinski, Seconded by Orttel, to continue the Board of Review Hearing until May 15 at 8 p.m. at the Andover City Hall. Motion carried unanimously. Board of Review continued to May 15, 1979, 8 p.m. 9:33 p.m. Respectfully submitted, \~~c~L Marc lla A. Peach Recording Secretary