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CITY COUNCIL <br />WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />Item 3 <br />STAFF ORIGINATOR: Roberta Colotti, CIVIC, City Clerk <br />MEETING DATE: May 5, 2025 <br />TOPIC: Local Board of Appeal & Equalization / Open Book Meeting <br />INTRODUCTION <br />This evening the City Council is scheduled to hold the Local Board of Appeal & Equalization prior <br />to the City Council Work Session. There is another alternative to this meeting, the Open Book <br />meeting. The County Assessor has been invited to attend tonight's Work Session to review the <br />two options for the consideration of the City Council. Several cities in Anoka County have <br />moved to the Open Book format. <br />BACKGROUND <br />The Local Board of Appeal & Equalization is a forum for property owners to appeal their <br />valuation or classification. It operates at the city level, and appeals must be made to the Local <br />Board before proceeding to the County Board of Appeal and Equalization. The Open Book <br />meeting is hosted by the County and the Assessing Department meets with property owners as <br />part of this process. The advantage of the Open Book meeting is that property owners can <br />attend the County Board of Appeal & Equalization meeting without having to attend the Open <br />Book meeting, thereby extending the time for property owners to submit their next level of <br />appeal. They are otherwise required to attend the date specific Local Board of Appeal & <br />Equalization meeting to appeal the decision to the County Board of Appeal & Equalization. <br />If there is interest in moving to an Open Book meeting format, Council action preferably by <br />resolution, is required to designate an Open Book meeting format for future years. If after <br />moving to an Open Book meeting the Council would like to return to holding a Local Board of <br />Appeal & Equalization meeting, that can be re-established at the request of the City. <br />The County Assessor has indicated that a valuation report can be submitted and/or presented <br />to the City Council, at the request of the Council, if we move to an Open Book meeting format. <br />RECOMMENDATIONS <br />Review options for holding a Local Board of Appeal & Equalization meeting or an Open Book <br />meeting. <br />ATTACHMENTS <br />