3. Abatement/Orville Iwen - Laserfiche WebLink

RECEIVED JUN 1 9 2002 CASS COUNTY COIdMISSION INVESTIGATION OF ABATEMENT APPLICATION ABATEMENT NO. 4222 Following is a report on the investigation of the abatement application of: Orville Iwen Cass County Board of Commissioners and State Tax Commissioner: The applicant is asking that the valuation be reduced on the N ½ 12-141-52 Amenia Township for the years 1997 through 2001. He's asking that the valuation be reduced 38%-40%. He states that continual diversion of water from other areas has resulted in accelerating loss of farm crops in the past 8 years. He states that the flooding is not correctable. The Amenia Twp Board recommended denial of the abatement (see Amenia clerks letters dated April l0th and May 23rd). Mr. Iwen previously filed for abatement on this land in 1998 (see attached Cass Board minutes and Recommendation.) Since that time, trap gates have been installed on the culverts running through Co. #4. Also, the current operator has done some ditching and has cleaned out the drain nmning through the property. Also, some field diking along Hwy 18 has also been done. It would appear that these steps should correct some of the drainage problems. The land appears to be valued similarly to the surrounding land. For these reasons, it is my recommendation to deny the application. The Amenia Twp board and local assessor also concur that there are some drainage issues, but that the land is fairly assessed compared to surrounding land. SUGGESTED MOTION: "I move that Abatement # 4222 be denied, as recommended by the Amenia Twp Board and the Director of Equalization." Dated this 19th day of June, 2002. Francis Klein Director of Tax Equalization