07-07-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--July 7, 1997 1657 He distributed pictures of his property surrounded by water this spring. He asked why certain property values cannot be lowered in these type of situations. Mr. Klein said the County Commission cannot lower an assessment unless the property owner files an appeal. The Commission does not have the power to lower individual assessments. He said a listing of the township sales would be helpful during the assessment process. Otherwise, he has no figures to use when making assessment decisions. Mr. Klein said his office maintains a book of assessment figures which are open to the public. Robin Kress Mrs. Kress said she and her husband own an 8.48 acre farmstead one mile from Mapleton, North Dakota, in Durbin Township. She received a notice that their property value will be increased from $39,300 to $60,000 and was shocked by the large increase. However, she did say $60,000 was close to the price they paid for the property. Linda Heyerman Mrs. Heyerman said she and her husband own a 10.72 acre tract northwest of Durbin Village in Durbin Township. They have lived in this home for 25 years. She said that half of the 10.72 acres is tillable. She also received a notice that their property value will be increased from $21,300 to $60,000. She noted that the foundation of the house has already been replaced once and now the floors are heaving because the foundation work was not done properly. She and her husband have to decide whether to demolish their house and live in a trailer or to continue to live in the house. The flood waters came within 1~ feet of their house. Also, she said a neighbor raised a coulee only on one side which also affected their flooding situation. Mr. Wieland questioned if the coulee project falls under the jurisdiction of the Water Resource District. He asked Mr. Meyer to contact the Water Resource Board to find the answer. Keith Gohdes Mr. Gohdes said he lives in Section 10 of Durbin Township. He said his property is in the floodplain. He manages his father's farmstead and questioned why the property is not exempt as a family farm. He received a notice that the property value will be increased from $42,900 to $78,000. He cannot justify a $40 per month increase when he struggled with the flooding this spring. He feels the valuation increase is "obscene and oppressive" after all the problems this past winter and spring. Mr. Klein said the increases in values were figured before the flooding occurred. He said an option is available to reduce property values on a pro-rated basis. He showed file pictures of the Heyerman, Gohdes and Kress properties to the Commission. He was planning to review all of Durbin Township this fall to see if properties represent market value. Mr. Baumgarten said he misunderstood Mr. Klein and did not realize he was planning a review. Mr. Klein agreed that rural residential properties are selling rather high but he cannot control the market. The increases he is recommending are based on recent sales in Durbin Township. Mrs. Schneider said in light of the many questions in Durbin Township, she feels a decision on the Durbin Township increases should be discussed at the July 21st Commission meeting. Also, the question regarding the Levos and Tallackson properties should also be tabled until the next meeting.