06-06-1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

Comm. Minutes--June 6, 1994 1215 18. TAX EQUALIZATION BOARD, Convened for 1994 The board convened as the 1994 County Board of Tax Equalization. Frank Klein, Director of Equalization, provided verbal comments on his written report dated May 23, 1994. The report included distribution of taxable value in Cass County, and Mr. Ness noted that 90% of the total property taxes in Cass County are paid by Fargo and West Fargo. Equalization of cities--Mr. Klein noted that residential properties outside of Fargo and West Fargo are assessed at about 92% of the sales prices, and the State Board of Equalization in the past has required counties to be between 95% and 105% of the sales prices. Therefore, he recommends increasing residential lot and structure values by 5% in Argusville, 7% in Horace and 7% in Harwood because those three cities have not had an increase in valuation in the five years he has served as director of equalization. He said some cities and townships make minor adjustments each year, and this increase will put the three cities more in line with the market and with other city assessments in the county. Ail cities were notified of Mr. Klein's recommendations concerning increases, and he asked if anyone was present to speak on the recommended increase for Argusville, Horace and Harwood. No one asked to speak at this time. MOTION, passed Mrs. Toussaint moved and Mr. Ness seconded that the residential lot and structure values be increased 5% in Argusville City, 7% in Horace City and 7% in Harwood City. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. The County Board of Equalization received a letter from Darrell and Irene Crowston, property owners in the City of Relies Acres, concerning current assessed values for all homes in their city. Mrs. Crowston was present and said the square footage on their home is the same as some homes which are assessed lower. In their letter, Mr. and Mrs. Crowston requested an investigation of current assessed values for all of the homes in Reiles Acres. In a letter to the Board of Equalization dated June 1, 1994, Mr. Klein recommended setting 1994 value of the Crowston property at $86,500, and he provided a copy of his letter to Irene Crowston outlining his recommendation. Mr. Klein said any inequities in assessments in Reiles Acres do not warrant an order for reassessment by the Cass County Board of Equalization but he recommends that the Board instruct Reiles Acres to make adjustments for the 1995 assessment and urge them to follow recommended assessment techniques and adjust all properties to market value. Mayor of Reiles Acres, David Baumann, was present and referred questions to their City Assessor, Steve Perreault. Mr. Perreault said they have not had a lot of sales in the past few years, but the selling price has been higher than anticipated on recent sales. He has discussed the Crowston property with Mr. Klein.