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CITY COUNCIL BOARD OF REVIEW APRIL 20, 1998 <br /> seniors. He asked if there is anything that the City or City Council can do to encourage <br /> the legislators to enact such legislation. Mr. Smith said the main focus should be to get <br /> the senior citizens involved. The lobby is not strong enough at the legislature to get the <br /> point across. It has been introduced every year for the past five (5) or six (6) years and <br /> does not have enough support to get out of the House. It also needs more media coverage. <br /> The larger issue is class rates and it appears that the legislature is dealing with and <br /> lowering each class rate each year. Then the next question becomes where will the <br /> governments dependent upon property taxes make up the loss of revenue which happens <br /> when class rates are reduced. There are a lot of issues that the public is not aware of. <br /> Mr. Smith explained he has received approximately 30 calls of which 25 were from Lino <br /> Lakes residents regarding their property values. Normally he receives about 80 calls. Tax <br /> rates have gone down and there are more credits available so people are reasonably happy <br /> about their taxes. Mr. Smith said he did not expect to see anybody at this hearing tonight. <br /> He did receive a letter from a property owner,Nick Gargaro of Northern Wholesale <br /> Supply, PIN. R24-31-22-43-0011, and read it into the record. Mr. Smith said he has <br /> talked to Mr. Gargaro on the telephone and he has decided to go to the County Board of <br /> Equalization. Mr. Smith noted there is a minimum assessment agreement on the property <br /> with the City of Lino Lakes. At this point the valuation is above the minimum, however, <br /> the agreement means that it is just a minimum valuation. The County has hired a new <br /> commercial appraiser, who has reviewed a lot of commercial properties in the City and <br /> found they were considerable undervalued according to the market. That is why <br /> commercial values have increased for 1999. No action is needed by the Council on the <br /> Northern Wholesale Supply appeal. After this Board of Review, Mr. Smith will send a <br /> list of all the property owners who have contacted him asking for a review of their <br /> property value. This list will show what happened, if any changes were made, if any <br /> errors were made and the adjustment. If anything happens at the County Board of <br /> Equalization,the City Council would be notified of these results. In the past,property <br /> owners have requested the City Assessor to enter their name on the agenda for the County <br /> Board of Review so that they can appear at that meeting. Last year a resident asked to <br /> appear at the County Board of Equalization. Mr. Smith worked with this property for two <br /> (2) weeks in preparation for her appearance and she did not come to the meeting. A lot of <br /> time was spent for nothing and to avoid another such incidence, the Assessor's office will <br /> follow the proper procedure. <br /> Mr. Smith presented the abstract for signatures of the City Council. He also noted that if <br /> any resident needs help with the property tax program,they should call him. <br /> Council Member Lyden moved to adjourn at 7:00 p.m. Council Member Neal seconded <br /> the motion. Motion carried unanimously. <br /> These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at a regular meeting of the City <br /> Council on June 8, 1998. <br /> PAGE 3 <br />