HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/22/1988 Council MinutesCOUNCIL WORK SESSION FEBRUARY 22, 1988
Mayor Benson opened the Special Work Session at 6:12 P.M.
Council Members present: Bisel, Bohjanen, Reinert. Council
Members absent: None. City Administrator, Randy
Schumacher; Assessor, Greg Johnson and his wife Wendy and
Clerk- Treasurer, Marilyn Anderson were also present.
The purpose of the work session was to discuss the past
years assessment and also the future contract for the
assessing.
Mr. Schumacher explained that Mr. Johnson had assumed the
assessors position on June 1, 1987. He asked Mr. Johnson to
discuss the work to date.
Mr. Johnson told the Council that he has reviewed 25% of all
the parcel in Lino Lakes which includes 600 existing home,
100 plus new homes and approximately 300 vacant lots. He
explained that the land values are very low compared to what
they are actually selling for. Basically land values in the
entire City will increase. He also noted that the 1986
ratio was very low in comparison to the rest of the County
and he is trying to correct this situation. He noted that
for instance some lake lots were valued at $8,000 and sold
for over $40,000. He also told of other problems and noted
that there were houses that appeared to have built without
permits and other buildings built that did not follow the
blueprints or building permits.
Mr. Reinert expressed concern regarding the low land values
and noted that this situation causes a false mill rate. He
noted that when property values are correct the mill rate
goes down. Mr. Johnson agreed but explained that the real
difference in mill rates is the school district. Mr.
Johnson also said the County would like all of Lino Lakes
re- evaluated next year.
Mayor Benson asked Mr. Johnson to supply documentation of
some of the problems that he has encountered. Mr. Reinert
also asked for a map that shows what sections of the City
are being re- evaluated.
There was discussion on accelerating the re- evaluation
process so that the entire City would be completed in two
years rather than three years. Mr. Johnson explained that
would take considerable amount of time and explained that
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COUNCIL WORK SESSION FEBRUARY 22, 1988
just to complete what is now completed required twelve hour
working days and he also took a two month leave of absense
from his regular full time position. He felt this was a
full time position. Mrs. Johnson explained that she
received as many as thirty telephone calls a day when Mr.
Johnson was out doing his field work. Mayor Benson asked if
the work load would be as intense when the re- evaluation is
completed? Mr. Johnson said yes, new building permits
require a lot of time and there is more building. Mr.
Bohjanen asked if Mr. Johnson were full time, would it still
take two years to bring the entire City to proper valuation?
Mr. Johnson said yes.
Mr. Reinert asked how this could be made a full time
position this year when the budget is already set. Mr.
Schumacher explained the budget would have to be amended.
Mr. Reinert said that something has been started now and
should be completed as soon as possible so everyone is
treated equally and fairly. He asked Mr. Johnson if he
could complete the re- evaluation in two years if he were
full time. Mr. Johnson said yes and he also said this needs
a full time assessor and he would like the position.
Mayor Benson said this City has to look at this matter very
quickly. He asked Mr. Johnson and Mr. Schumacher to bring a
recommendation to the next Council meeting. This
recommendation should include where the additional money
will come from for Mr. Johnsons wages. He also asked again
for documentation on some of the problems encountered during
this past assessment period.
Mayor Benson thanked Mr. and Mrs. Johnson for coming this
evening.
Mr. Bohjanen moved to adjourn at 6:55 P.M. Mr. Bisel
seconded the motion. Aye.
Approved this 22nd day of Febraury 1988.
rv\-
MARYLY C ANDERSON BENJ
Clerk- Treasurer 'ayor
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