c. Abatement applications-Deboer; Bernard

INVESTIGATION OF ABATEMENT APPLICATION ABATEMENT #4300 Following is a report on the investigation of the abatement applications of: Ray & Peggy Bernard. Cass County Board of Commissioners and State Tax Commissioner: The applicant is asking that the residential valuation be lowered for the year 2006 from $291,400 to $17,753. The property is located at 1319 64th Ave N Reed Twp. The applicant states that they paid $139,000 for the property and that a recent appraisal indicates a value of$17,753. The Reed Twp Board recommended that the valuation be set at $150,000. I did inspect the exterior of the property and visited with the taxpayer. The property sold for significantly less than the assessment due to severe erosion of the riverbank. The erosion has reached the deck of the home. It's unclear whether the bank will stabilize or whether the erosion will continue until the structure is threatened. The homeowner estimates that it may cost $150,000 in expenses to relocate the structure. An appraisal estimates the cost to be $250,000. The home is occupied and the owner is exploring ways to curtail the erosion. Considering all factors, I concur with the township to reduce the value to $150,000. SUGGESTED MOTION: "I move that abatement #4300 be reduced to $150,000; as recommended by the Director of Equalization and the Reed Twp Baord." Dated this 1 ih day of April, 2007. 'i~ 1!~ Frank Klein Director of Tax Equalization j :\tax\wp\abate