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Mounds View City Council December 7, 2009 Truth in Taxation Meeting Page 3 Finance Director Beer stated that is included in resident’s taxes. 1 2 Timothy Hall, 2200 Lois Drive, asked if taxes are based solely on property market value as set by 3 Ramsey County. Finance Director Beer confirmed that is correct. 4 5 Mr. Hall stated he realizes this is not the place to bring up Ramsey County issues but the average 6 valuation of the six homes in his cul-de-sac is $16,679 and these homes have been devalued from 7 $11,400 to $37,900. His home was devalued $2,800 out of that amount. The range of increase 8 of City tax ranges from $10.65 to a high of $175.94, which is on his property. Mr. Hall stated all 9 six homes were built within three years of each other and his home has the smallest foundation 10 footprint, smallest amount of square footage, and minimal improvements in the last two years. 11 However, in the last five years his taxes increased a full $1,000, a 10.3% increase, while two 12 houses away they had a 10.6% decrease in overall taxes. Finance Director Beer stated this 13 argument should be presented to Ramsey County in March of 2010. 14 15 Mike Chance, 8080 Woodlawn Drive, stated his largest increase in taxes was for the City but his 16 property assessed valuation of $219,000 is the same in 2009. Finance Director Beer explained 17 the average decrease for Mounds View was 6.5%. Mr. Chance stated his taxes increased 11% for 18 the City portion of taxes. Finance Director Beer stated the largest increase was due to the street 19 improvement project but once the levy is instituted, residents won’t see an additional increase 20 since it will be a constant fee until the streets are done. Mr. Chance stated he does not like to 21 receive a $3,000 property tax bill for a home valued at $219,000. It was noted that Mr. Chance 22 can appeal the valuation with Ramsey County. 23 24 Dan Mueller, 8343 Groveland Road, stated he understands the concern about taxes going up and 25 asked if the County looks at values each year. Finance Director Beer stated the County comes 26 out once every four years. Mr. Mueller stated some changes may be “catch up” from several 27 years ago on everything, not just the house. He stated his estimated market value increased one 28 time so he called the County and a staff person asked if would sell his home for the estimated 29 market value and if not, then they were not getting taxed too much. Mr. Mueller stated he also 30 compared his tax information with neighboring homes and found some had increased while 31 others went down considerably so he wondered how it was calculated. 32 33 Mayor Flaherty clarified that all residents can request a new evaluation from Ramsey County. 34 Finance Director Beer noted the values were set a year ago to be applied in 2010. If you appeal 35 the value now, it will be for taxable 2011 and an adjustment is not made for 2010 unless there is 36 a clerical error. Mr. Mueller thanked Finance Director Beer for the thorough budget presentation. 37 38 Finance Director Beer advised the budget would be considered for approval by the Council at its 39 December 14, 2009 meeting, pending any changes made tonight. 40 41 Council Member Stigney reviewed the amount being transferred from the Levy Reduction Fund 42 and suggested that additional reductions can still be identified in the 2010 budget so there is a 0% 43 levy increase. Or, if everything is essential in the budget and nothing can be cut, then he felt the 44 Levy Reduction Fund should be used. 45