06-07-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--June 7, 1999 1987 Rod Schover, who also lives on Martin Drive in Reed Township, told the Board his assessment was increased by $24,000 since he purchased the property last October. Mr. Klein was asked to review this assessment also and report back to the County Board. Terry Springer, who lives on the corner of County Highways 17 and 20 in Reed Township, said the assessment on her property increased from $114,000 last year to $213,000 for 1999. She did make an appeal to the Reed Township Board of Equalization, and they lowered the assessment to $176,000. She has owned the home since 1986 when it was appraised at $85,000. The home has a new sunroom addition that cost about $20,000 to construct, and she estimates the property to be worth $150,000 at this time. During the 1997 spring flood, she said the property was inaccessible for six weeks and flooding would be a big issue if they tried to sell the home. Mr. Klein was asked to review this assessment also and report back to the Board. The Board next discussed an appeal from Jim Howe, Howe Seed Farm in Harmony Township, requesting an exemption of the commercial assessment on his property under new legislation (House Bill 1054). He could not meet the exemption previously because of the requirement that the structures had to be used exclusively for farm purposes. Mr. Howe signed a statement that he primarily uses the structures in question for farming purposes and indicated that he does occasionally condition seed for others, approximately 5-10% of the time. MOTION, passed Mr. Koenig moved and Mrs. Schneider seconded that the commercial structure assessment in the amount of $30,000 be removed from assessment on the NW'% of Section 17, Harmony Township. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. Mr. Klein sent notices to other seed plants informing them of the current statute, and he anticipates receiving other exemption requests. Mr. Klein said Senate Bill 2052 created an inundated land category in regard to agricultural land valuation whereby land which is under water and has not been farmed for a year or more is entitled to be classified as inundated land and be valued at a preferential rate. Local assessors did not have an opportunity to implement this legislation, and Mr. Klein said he has received about 18 applications. Mrs. Quick asked if anyone was in the audience to discuss the inundated land category, but no one asked to address the board at this time. MOTION, passed Mr. Wieland moved and Mr. Koenig seconded that those inundated land requests made to Cass County be referred back to the respective townships fortheir recommendation concerning the classification and valuation. Further, that the townships be notified that they may submit a revised list of lands to be classified as inundated, along with their respective values. Further, that any affected taxpayer may file an abatement at a later date concerning the correct classification and valuation of inundated lands. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. 12. TAX EQUALIZATION BOARD, Recessed MOTION, passed Mrs. Schneider moved and Mr. Koenig seconded to recess the County Board of Equalization until June 21, 1999. Motion carried.