01-18-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--January 18, 2000 2086 Mr. Montplaisir referred to a hand-out prepared by Frank Klein, County Director of Tax Equalization, indicating there were 76' exemptions in rural Cass County in 1999, which amounted to a loss in revenue of $17,068. Mr. Wieland provided some background information on the two-year residential tax exemption in rural Cass County. The County Commission first considered the exemption on new home construction on January 21, 1986, and the exemption was rejected after a public hearing was held. The next time this subject was addressed by the county was in 1995, when the exemption was first adopted, and has been approved each year since that time. Mr. Wieland still favors offering the two-year tax exemption and suggested following the same policy as the City of Fargo, which would include a sliding scale for the amount of the exemption depending upon the value of the house. Mr. Koenig said the intent of the legislation was to encourage home construction at a time when interest rates were high, and that was accomplished. He thinks the cities of Fargo and West Fargo should consider eliminating the two-year exemption also. MOTION, failed Mr. Wieland moved to adopt a resolution authorizing a $75,000 exemption for new houses constructed in the rural area of Cass County during 2000, using a sliding scale for the amount of the exemption, dependent upon house value, similar to the City of Fargo's sliding scale. Mr. Koenig seconded the motion for discussion purposes. Further discussion: Mr. Meyer believes this exemption encourages leap-frog development in the rural areas, as opposed to a more orderly development in incorporated areas, and the revenue generated by these developments will not cover the county's eventual expenses. At the call for the question and upon roll call vote, the motion failed with four members voting "No" and Mr. Wieland voting in favor of the motion. 12. JAIL TRANSITION TEAM, Budget aooroved Mr. Montplaisir explained the budget of $380,380 for the jail transition team. The budget includes salaries for five employees; consultant fees of Jim Rowenhorst, Kimme & Associates; computer and office equipment; rental of office space in a trailer at the site of the new jail; office supplies; and travel expense. Mr. Montplaisir said this is the first of three budgets that will be presented to the Board over the next two months. MOTION, passed Mrs. Quick moved and Mr. Wieland seconded to approve the Jail Transition Team Budget as presented by the County Auditor, Michael Montplaisir. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. 13. REGISTER OF DEEDS, Comouter conversion uodate Deanna Kensrud, Register of Deeds, reported that her office reached the goal of eliminating the backlog of recorded documents in the office, with a turn-around time of only 12 days as of today. She said they should be able to maintain a reasonable turn-around time with the new computer system. Commissioners commended Mrs. Kensrud and her staff for doing an outstanding job in attaining that goal.