08-18-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--August 18, 1997 1686 17. CONTRACT APPROVAL, Braun Intertec Corporation MOTION, passed Mrs. Quick moved and Mrs. Schneider seconded to approve the following contracts submitted by respective department head and portfolio commissioner, subject to State's Attorney approval; and authorize the chairman to sign: Braun Intertec to perform pavement testing and analysis on county roads. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. 18. ROAD DEPARTMENT, Sale of used equipment MOTION, passed Mrs. Quick moved and Mrs. Schneider seconded to authorize sale of Highway and Weed Department equipment, according to list provided by County Engineer, Keith Berndt, at the City of Fargo's public auction on August 30, 1997. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. 19. ABATEMENT APPLICATION, Denied for Stephen H. Madsen Frank Klein, Director of Equalization, reported on his investigation and recommendation in the matter of Abatement #4077 filed by Stephen H. Madsen for the year 1996. The Howes Township Board accepted a reduction from $29,000 to $21,000, however, Mr. Klein recommended denying the abatement because no additional facts were presented by the applicant to warrant a reduction. A staff report on issues before the 1996 State Board of Equalization was provided by Mr. Klein from Barry Hasti, State Supervisor of Assessments. Mr. Hasti recommended no reduction in the 1996 assessment of the Madsen property because it does not appear to be valued above market value. He indicated that comparison of property values used by Mr. Madsen were from the 1995 assessments, and significant changes were made by local and county assessment officials for 1996. The equity was improved from 1995 to 1996, however, Mr. Hasti believes additional equalization work needs to be done. Township assessors are encouraged to inventory the taxable residential properties using field cards since more complete information will facilitate equitable assessments. Stephen H. Madsen, Embden, addressed the Board at this time. He presented photographs of properties in other small towns in Cass County valued at $10,000 below his property, and he believes his should be valued the same. Several area farmsteads, he said, are valued at $15- 17,000, which are well below his valuation. Another matter is on due process, he said, and referred to the reprieve from taxation which the Commission granted Tallackson's and Levos' hog operations. Mr. Madsen also said some of the homes in the photographs he presented have made improvements but the valuations increased very little. He believes a valuation of $21,000 on his property is more than enough in the small town of Embden and in comparison to his neighbors. Mr. Klein said the valuation of properties in small towns in Cass County has increased, and a more active assessment process needs to be undertaken by doing physical inspections and completing property cards. If the county feels there are enough inequities in any township or city, a total reassessment could be ordered at the expense of the respective township or city. According to Mr. Klein, Mr. Madsen feels his property is worth the value placed on it for 1996 tax purposes, however, he feels the value is excessive in relation to similar properties. The local