05-06-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-May 6,2002 2439 16. ABATEMENT APPLICATION, Denied for Orville Iwen Frank Klein, Director of Tax Equalization, provided a report on the investigation of abatement application #4221, submitted by Orville Iwen for property located in Wiser Township. Mr. Klein recommends denying the abatement on the basis that the land in question is valued similarly to surrounding land, the soils maps indicate the land is similar to the surrounding land, and the ratio study indicates that the county is not over-assessing this land based on the sale of the property in October of 2000. He said it appears the new landowner or operator has improved the drainage of the land. - Mr. Iwen received notice of today's hearing and was present to provide further verbal and written testimony on why he believes the abatement should be approved. He cited continual loss of crops from flooding and poor drainage as the reason for requesting the tax abatement. The abatement application is for the years 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000; however, Mr. Klein said the law would only allow the board to consider the 2000 taxes in this case. Numerous discussions have been held in the last few years between Mr. Iwen and the Water Resource District with suggestions on drainage improvements he could make to his property. Mr. Klein said the new property owner cut laterals into the field allowing the water to run into the township ditch, which then runs north into the drainage ditch, and that work needed to be done when Mr. Iwen owned the property. Mr. Klein said he recognizes the land has drainage problems, and that is reflected in the valuation. Mr. Iwen asked if there is any further appeal if the Board denies this abatement application. Mr. Klein said he could appeal to the District Court and the Supreme Court, and he suggested that _ Mr. Iwen consider hiring the services of an attorney to assist him. Mr. Wieland asked if Mr. Iwen was aware that there was a drainage problem when he purchased the land, and Mr. Iwen said he knew that because the other quarters in the section had crops on them and his did not. He said that was all he could afford to buy. Mr. Wagner said it appears the sales price, which Mr. Iwen received for the land, bears out the assessed valuation. MOTION, passed Mr. Wagner moved and Mrs. Schneider seconded to deny abatement #4221 for Orville Iwen for property located in Wiser Township. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Iwen asked if he should provide copies of additional information to each Commissioner for an upcoming abatement hearing on property located in Amenia Township. Mr. Klein said it is up to Mr. Iwen to provide whatever information he wants the board to review at the time of the abatement hearing. Mr. Wieland said he could provide as little or as much information as he wanted. Mr. Montplaisir had asked Mr. Iwen to provide copies of information fortoday's hearing because he initially sent an entire box of paperwork and then wanted it back, so the county returned it. Lisa McEvers, Assistant State's Attorney, said the statute does provide that the applicant should present any information that the Commission may request. Mr. Wieland said the Commission would not request any specific information and that Mr. Iwen could provide verbal testimony at the meeting. __ Mr. Iwen said the water resource district approved a five-foot dike for a mile on County Road 4 right of way, and he also began talking about drainage on his land in Amenia Township. The chairman asked Mr. Iwen to continue his discussion with Mr. Klein after the next item on the agenda, and that will allow the board to proceed with the remainder of today's agenda items.