Albert Lea, MN                                                                                      May 17, 2001 

The meeting of the Board of Review was called to order at 7:00 P.M. in the City Center Council Chambers by Mayor Bob Haukoos.

ROLL CALL

Present were Board Members David McPherson, George Marin, Mary Kron, Al Brooks and Mayor Bob Haukoos.  Absent were Councilors Warren Amundson and Ron Sorenson.  Also present were City Manager Paul T. Sparks, Acting Board Secretary Pat Johnson and Dennis Distad, George Rothmeier, John Yost, Arlin Trae and Ryan Rasmussen from the Freeborn County Assessor’s Office.

BOARD OF REVIEW

Mayor Haukoos opened a public hearing for the purpose of reviewing and correcting the assessments of the City for the year 2001.   The required notice for this hearing was published on May 6, 2001, and posted in City Hall.

Dennis Distad introduced the appraisers from the Freeborn County Assessor’s Office and announced that the Board is here to take questions regarding classification or valuation not the dollar amount of the tax.   A map was displayed indicating valuation increases throughout the City which is based on property sales. 

George Rothmeier appeared stating the Assessor’s Office assesses all City and County property, residential, commercial and industrial.  He stated State legislation requires that the taxable value be within 90-105 percent of the estimated market value.  All building permits and improvements as well as property sales are calculated into the formula.  Over the past few years housing valuations have increased considerably.  If at some point market values decrease, then they would be required to lower taxable valuations to stay within those guidelines.

Dennis Distad invited anyone in the audience having a question regarding their estimated valuations to come forward to the podium and give their name and phone number.  He stated that the party would be contacted by the Assessor’s Office with an explanation on how figures were calculated.  If the owner and the County representative cannot come to an agreement regarding the valuations, the Board of Review will make an on site inspection of the property to establish an appropriate value.

The following individuals appeared before the Board:

Mark Rofshus, 1505 Seth Drive, stated he had purchased his home new in 1999, had made no improvements since the purchase and yet a $12,000 improvement was indicated on his notice.

Mary Severtson, 1905 South Shore Drive, questioned why her estimate for next year went up considerably when the taxes payable in 2001 had gone down by $11 and no improvements had been made. 

Mr. Rothmeier stated home values in her area had gone up 20 percent as had many areas throughout the City.  However, their policy is to only increase tax rates by 8½ percent each year until the taxable value catches up with market value.

Mayor Haukoos read a letter received from James Broberg, 221 Ridge Road,  requesting review of his estimated market value.

City Manager Sparks stated they had also received a letter from Darv Habben objecting to the assessment for sewer and water to his property.  Mr. Sparks explained that the Habben property was annexed into the City in February, 2000, and certification of the assessment occurred in October of 2000.  He also stated that there was an agreement between Habben and the City wherein Mr. Habben waived his objections to the assessment.  This matter is currently in litigation.

George Rothmeier reported the Assessor’s Office had received numerous phone calls and had met with many individuals at their office regarding the established valuations.  He explained that until the Legislature changes the formula, they are required to set taxable valuations at 90-105 percent of market value.

After additional discussion, Dennis Distad suggested the Board of Review reconvene on May 31^st to make a final determination on any property valuations still in question.

RECESS:  7:18 P.M.

With no further comments to be heard, the meeting was recessed to Thursday, May 31st, 2001. 

Filed and attested May 17, 2001.

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