06-02-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-June 2, 2008 3362 6. RETIREMENT PLAQUE, Presented to Ginnv Leon Commission Chairman Ken Pawluk presented Ginny Leon with a plaque upon her retirement in appreciation of her 29Y:1 years of service with Cass County Social Services. Mrs. Leon thanked the board and said she has enjoyed her work with the county. 7. TAX EQUALIZATION BOARD, Convened for 2008 and recessed until June 16th Chairman Pawluk convened the Cass County Board of Tax Equalization for 2008. Frank Klein, Director of Equalization, referred to his letter dated May 23, 2008, concerning the annual equalization of assessments. State law requires residential and commercial property to be valued at market value and agricultural property to be valued at its productivity value established by a legislative formula. Mr. Klein said for 2008 there is no indicated change in agricultural valuations and the county appears to be in compliance with commercial assessments in the rural area; however, residential assessments outside Fargo and West Fargo are not in compliance and he will recommend increases in numerous townships and cities at the next equalization meeting. He suggested the board consider any individual appeals today and he will provide recommendations on the appeals at the next meeting. He distributed a list of appeals he received as of today from the following individuals: Pamela Handegard; Fran Snelgrove; AI Brandt; Lynn Utke; Five Star Services/Hendricks; and Glenn Weiand. Fran Snelgrove addressed the board at this time. He owns property at 551 Wall Avenue in Stanley Township. He bought the property in September 2007 and began the appeal process on the value in January 2008. He feels the process involves an unreasonable time period to wait on a re-assessment and hopes a quicker time table will be considered in the future. Mr. Klein said Mr. Snelgrove is appealing the 2007 and 2008 assessments and filed an abatement with Stanley Township for 2007. Mr. Klein said under state law, today is the earliest date the county may consider appeals on 2008 assessments. Mr. Wagner said the county commission needs to follow the timelines provided in state law regarding this process. MOTION, passed Mr. Wagner moved and Mr. Vanyo seconded that the County Board of Tax Equalization recess until June 16,2008. Motion carried. 8. TORGERSON SECOND SUBDIVISION, Public comment; final plat approval aranted Tim Solberg, Cass County Planner, was present. He said on May 22, 2008, the Cass County Planning Commission approved Torgerson Second Subdivision. The plat is located in the SW % of Section 16 in Normanna Township. The intended use of the subdivision is to plat one lot for commercial and industrial development and was submitted by Jim Gunkelman, President of Ice Crystal Engineering, who manufactures cloud seed. Mr. Solberg said that after the plat was approved, he was contacted by a resident of Braaten Subdivision, who is opposed to the subdivision and would like to be heard. Lisa Hagler, resident of Braaten Subdivision, was present. She lives in a close-knit community whose common interest is their children and preserving the community. She is concerned about the effect the chemicals may have on their residents. The company will test flares and she visited with Mr. Gunkelman, who told her the chemicals are non- carcinogenic.