07-01-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--July 1, 2002 2463 r- 22. JAIL TRANSITION TEAM UPDATE, Update bv Sheriff's Department Walt Willis and Michele Boucher reported on transition team duties in the last month, which include ordering and receiving new equipment, staff training, technical work on computers and base radios, installation of food service equipment, new facility orientation training, policy and procedures training. Bonnie Johnson, County Coordinator and transition team member, asked for input from the county commissioners on or9anizing a VIP overnight stay and public dedication of the new jail facility. The commission was in agreement to holding the public dedication on August 28, 2002, and the VIP overnight mock exercise on August 29,2002. 23. ABATEMENT APPLICATION, Denied for Orville Iwen Frank Klein, Director of Tax Equalization, provided a report on the investigation of abatement application #4222, submitted by Orville Iwen for property located in Amenia Township. Mr. Klein recommends denying the abatement, and the Amenia Township Board and local assessor concur that the land is fairly assessed compared to surrounding land. r' The Amenia Township Board recognizes there are some drainage concerns, however, Mr. Iwen has now rented out the land and the township board would like to see what different farming techniques do for the drainage of the property. This was reported in a letter from Linda M. Sell, Township Clerk, who indicates township officiais told Mr. Iwen, when they met with him on May 22, 2002, to apply for an adjustment to his taxes again next year so he can be heard at their local tax equalization meeting. Mr. Iwen was notified to attend the local tax equaiization meetin9 on April 8, 2002, according to Ms. Sell, but he chose not to attend. Mr. Klein indicates in his investigation that trap gates have been installed on the culverts running through County Highway 4, and the current farm operator has done some ditching and cleaned out the drain running through the property. A field dike along Highway 18 has also been done, and these steps should help to correct drainage problems. In viewing the soils map, Mr. Klein said the land is basically the same as the neighboring properties. Mr. Iwen received notice of today's meeting and was present to provide further verbal and written testimony on why he believes the valuation should be reduced. In the abatement application, Mr. Iwen states that the diversion of water from other areas has resulted in accelerating loss of farm crops in the past eight years, and he believes the flooding is not correctible. Mr. Iwen said today that he has made three attempts to get drainage approval, and it has been approved by the State; however, he needs approval of the down-stream landowners, and they have denied it. r- Mrs. Sorum said she remembers Mr. Iwen attending a water resource board meeting and asked him if there are gates on the culverts to the north of his property. Mr. Iwen responded that the gates are open and the water runs on his land. MOTION, passed Mrs. Schneider moved and Mr. Wagner seconded that abatement #4222 for Orville Iwen be denied, as recommended by the Amenia Township Board and the Director of Equalization. Further discussion: Mr. Iwen asked how he was going to raise a crop, and Mr. Wieland said the Board could not answer that. He told Mr. Iwen the board is talking about the abatement application before them today, not about other issues Mr. Iwen