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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOR April 27, 1989 ....¥.; ,< ..~ " .-{ CITY of ANDOVER BOARD OF REVIEW - APRIL 27, 1989 The Board of Review of the city of Andover was called to order by Mayor pro tern Don Jacobson at 7:30 P.M., Thursday, April 27, 1989 at the Andover city Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard N.W., Andover, MN. Councilmembers Present: orttel, Perry Councilmembers Absent: Knight, Elling Also Present: County Assessors, Scott Varner and John Leone; others Mr. Jacobson explained to the audience that the Council can only discuss the valuation of properties, not the amount of taxes. The records on the properties can be checked to make sure there is not an error or if the assessor did not make a visual inspection an appointment can be arranged for him to do so. If a property owner does not agree with the results after this meeting, there are three more steps to follow. The first would be to go to the County Board of Equalization on June 19th; if the property owner is not satisfied after that, they can go to the State Board of Equalization; and if they are not satisfied after that, they can go to the Tax Court, who has the final authority. John Leone, County Assessor - explained how they assess properties, noting that the first thing they check is the square footage of the house. Next is an inspection of the interior of the home, starting with the basement and then going to the upstairs. After that is completed, they go back to the office and make an assessment of the property. The following residents presented their cases: Ann Sikora, 01 32 24 14 0001 Ms. Sikora stated that her property is now classified as residential but should be listed as agricultural as they started farming there 40 years ago and only quit farming when her husband retired. She felt that she is being treated unfairly because of her age. Ms. Sikora noted that the rental house on her property is 150 years old and the taxes keep going up. Her valuation is listed as $165,000. John Leone explained that when he was at the property last summer he did not observe any type of agricultural operation. He told Ms. Sikora that she could apply for Green Acres exemption if her property qualifies. Scott Varner recommended that he make an appointment to view the property and make a recommendation at the continued Board of Review. Board of Review April 27, 1989 Page 2 Chris Stumpf - 3081 - 149th Lane N.W. - 21 32 24 33 0013 Mr. Stumpf expressed concern that his valuation ($166,400) is too high as they have no improvements in their neighborhood other than city gas. The valuation in 1988 was $155,800 and in 1987 it was $149,600. Mr. Stempf noted that they have had their home for sale over the winter and have not been able to sell it. He feels the house is excessively valued. Mr. Varner will view the property and make a recommendation at the continued Board of Review. William J. Bernard, 15719 potawatomi St. N.W. , 18 32 24 33 0013 Mr. Bernard protested the way the taxes are increasing. He noted that when he built his house in 1985 the valuation was $164,500 and it is now at $194,900. In talking to his neighbors, Mr. Bernard found that their valuations also went up $12,000 to $19,000. He asked where this is going to stop. Mr. Jacobson noted that we have one of the lowest tax rates in Anoka County. Councilmember Perry stated that as the Federal government funds less, the cities and counties are expected to pay for more. No Council action was taken. Dave Simmons, 14760 Kiowa Street N.W., 30 32 24 21 0027 Felt that his valuation ($101,300) is too high as he paid $90,000 for his house. The assessor will view the property and make a recommendation at the continued Board of Review. Ronald Roden, 15481 Kiowa St. N.W. , 19 32 24 21 0013 and 19 32 24 24 0004 Mr. Roden noted that the valuations on both of his properties have increased dramatically. The valuation on the house went from $88,800 to $131,300 and on the vacant lot it went from $8,000 to $17,000. John Leone stated that the house has not been looked at since 1985 and he would like to view it before a determination is made. Board of Review April 27, 1989 Page 3 Mr. Roden explained that he built his home in 1983 and it was appraised higher than what he put into it. He also noted that he paid non-homestead taxes for two years. Mr. Roden asked where the money goes that he pays in taxes. Mr. Jacobson noted that anyone is free to come to City Hall to look at the City's budget. He also noted that for every dollar that is paid in taxes, the city receives l4 cents, the county receives 30 cents and the school district received 62 cents. Mr. Jacobson explained that with the Truth in Taxation law, the city has to publish notice of when work is done on the budget. Tom Marron, 4311 - 144th Lane N.W., 30 32 24 42 0019 Mr. Marron noted that in 1982 the valuation on his home was $63,000 and now it is $81,500. The only improvements made were an ax10 addition and new siding. The assessor will view the property and make a recommendation at the continued Board of Review. Laura Arp, 17845 Hanson Boulevard, 02 32 24 23 0008 Ms. Arp noted that their valuation went from $93,800 in 1987 to $119,500 this year. John Leone noted that he inspected the outside of the property but not the inside and recommended that he make an appointment to view the inside. Al Scheicher, 2089 - 175th Lane N.W., 03 32 24 34 0006 Lary Carlson spoke on behalf of Mr. Scheicher. Mr. Carlson noted that they built this house for $149,600 and it is now valued at $163,400. He felt that the valuation is too high as the home has no brick, no driveway, no front yard, and ceramic only on the floors of the bathrooms. He noted that they could not sell this house for the estimated market value. Another assessor will view the property and make a recommendation at the continued Board of Review. M.R. Olson, 2220 - 127th Lane, Coon Rapids, 34 32 24 32 0006 and 34 32 24 32 0005 Mr. Olson felt that the valuation on his two parcels was too high and asked that it be reduced. He has been trying to sell his property for five years and has not been able to find a buyer. The only property near his that sold recently was the property the city bought for $4,000 per acre. In 1984 there was a two acre junkyard that sold for $60,000, but that was because it had a business on it. He asked what justification there was for the increase in the valuation. Mr. Varner offered to decrease the valuation to $57,800. Mr. Olson felt that it should be down to where it was two years ago. Board of Review April 27, 1989 Page 4 Councilmember orttel asked what the valuation was based on. Mr. Varner noted that it's very near the property that the city has for sale. There were many sales of properties in Andover that are not of the same zoning, such as the two lots the city sold, plus A&P Construction purchased a parcel for a substantial amount ($3.00/square foot). There were also parcels purchased in the Hills of Bunker Lake and Kensington Estates for substantially more than Mr. Olson's property is valued. Mr. Olson noted that the property the city has for sale is ready for building and his property needs to have work done before any- one could build on it. Mr. Orttel felt that if the comparables are valid, then the value on Mr. Olson's property should stay the same. MOTION by Perry, seconded by Orttel that the City Council recommend acceptance of the $57,800 for the 4.5 acre parcel known as PIN 34 32 24 32 0006. Vote: Yes - Orttel, Perry; No - Jacobson. Motion carried. MOTION by Orttel, seconded by Perry that the City Council recommend that the valuation of PIN 34 32 24 32 0005 be reduced from $121,000 to the county's recommendation of $92,900. Vote; Yes - Ortte, Perry; No - Jacobson. Motion carried. MOTION by Orttel, seconded by Perry to continue the Board of Review to the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on May 2, 1989. Motion carried. Charlie vieman asked for an opportunity to be heard. MOTION by Orttel, seconded by Perry to reopen the Board of Review. Motion carried. Charlie Vieman, 13646 Crooked Lake Boulevard, 33 32 24 31 0007 Mr. Vieman noted that the valuation on his property went from $57,300 to somewhere in the 80's but the county has since reduced it to $75,700. He also noted that his taxes increased $295. Mr. Varner felt that a mistake was made last year and suggested that he check on it. No Council action was taken. MOTION by Pe rry, seconded by Orttel to continue the Board of Review to the regularly scheduled meeting of May 2, 1989. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:20 P.M. Respec~ submitted, £L Vicki Volk, City Clerk ,