05/09/1979 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

May 9, 1979 243 of legal action. He indicated that he could also contact the Assessor's office and fill out a review form to have another assessment made, If it's lower, a reduction is recommended, and if it's higher, no reduction is made. This, however, is limited to just one's own home, and does not include any neighbor's homes. Mr. Lehn asked if mil rates were the same for all cities; the explanation was that a mil is the same all over, but the mil rate is different from city to city. Mr. Lehn metioned a case in Hennepin County where the house was comparable to his, but the taxes were much lower on it. Mr. Starkey replied that this might be a case of limited value - the new homes are closer to the assessed value than the older homes. Mr. Rosengren, plat No. 82907, parcel 10 was concerned about a situation where he and divided up a piece of land into several parcels, The question was one of acreage (a land size discrepancy) and also of taxes on these parcels. Mr. Rosengren had been to the Auditor's office in Anoka, but apparently the situation was still unclear. These parcels were sold on contract for deed basis, and he pays the taxes on the. Mr. Starkey indicated that if the values arethe same on two of these, then the difference in taxes.is due to the fact that one was full- homesteaded, Honesteaded is assessed differently than non- homestead (or half homestead) property. Mr. Starkey suggested that Mr. Roasengren call for an appoint- ment to come into the Assessor's office to go over these problems. Mr. L'Allier, plat No. 88193,parcel 160, inquired as to the situation with new construction, and whether lot valuation is based on what a person paid for it. Mr. Starkey answered that that has a bearing on how the land is valued, but they try to get an overalll picture or average on places to equalize it. Mr. Storberg asked how it rates are determined; Mayor Karth answered that the budget balanced against against the assessed valuation of the City is what determines it, and that more construction is not alwayg better, as suggested by Mr. Storberg. Mr. Storberg was particularly concerned about the $425.00 charge for the sewer availability tax. Mayor Karth said that this was charged in the event that the sewer ever becomes available; it provides funds for when the sewer is extended so that it won't be necessary to float a bond issue. This charge is going up at the rage of $25 per year. Mr. Storberg asked if there was any interest paid on it; Mayor Karth replied that there wasn't, and that it is only processed here, and goes to the Metropolitan Council. Mr. Storberg was concerned especially because he felt there was little likelihood of there ever being a sewer in his area. Mayor Karth that there was an attempt to get the money refunded to people in the north area where the sewer may never reach, but without success. Once the sewer comes through, you have one year to hook up. Mr. Storberg also raised a question about bringing shcool taxes down in view of declining enrollment; Mayor Karth indicated that inflation is largely responsible for the fact that they haven't gone down. Mr. Storberg asked what happens when you put something in and change it later (such as a kitchen in the basement) in regards to assessments. Mr. Roisum said that if he changes soeething they will change it accordingly. It was pointed out that Mr. Storberg will have to satisfy the building inspector as far as occupancy goes when he actually moves into his home; that the state building oces, which Lino Lakes has aopted, will have to be followed in regard to occupancy. Mrs. Dean Allen asked about the policy in regard to leaving notices when the assessor visits and no one is home. Mrs. Roisum replied that it is not required to leave a notice, although it is a, policy in some areas. Mr. Starkey said that there is only about a 10% return on notices, so it's not usually worthwhile, although they try to get back to them. If a notice is left, it's usually just a courtesy.