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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9A - Reports Regarding Appeals to The Board of of Appeals and Equalization MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSION: 4646 Dakota Street S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT May 18, 2009 9A Frank Boyles, City Manager CONSIDER APPROVAL OF EP TS FROM THE SCOTT COUNTY ASSESSORS OFFICE REGARDING APPEALS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS AND EQUALIZATION. Introduction At tonight's meeting, the City Council, sitting as the Board of Appeals and Equalization, will be asked to: 1. Approve the Assessor's Consent Agenda (this is a list of properties which were appealed by the property owner to the Assessor's office and were resolved prior to the May 4 meeting); 2. Affirm the recommendations of the County Assessor which the City Council concurs with; and 3. Consider individually the values of any property the Council believes merit additional consideration. In accordance with Minnesota Department of Revenue Standards, this meeting is intended only to discuss appeals heard at the May 4,2009 meeting. No new appeals may be heard. Historv Annually, the Prior Lake City Council assumes the role of the local Board of Appeals and Equalization to hear appeals on the valuation of residential and commercial property. On Monday, May 4,2009, the Board and Scott County Assessor's Office received approximately 40 appeals from owners of commercial and residential property. Since that meeting, the Scott County Assessor's office has been preparing a report addressing each appealed property. That report was provided to the Council prior to this evening. Current Circumstances Tonight's meeting should be divided into three steps: Step 1 Adopt the Assessor's Consent Agenda. This is a list of properties which were appealed directly to the Assessor's office before May 4, and for which a revised value has been agreed to. Step 2 Identify from the Assessor's report those properties which the Council believes are appropriately addressed and affirm this fact by adoption of the recommended valuations. Step 3 For those properties which the Council believes merit greater discussion, consider and act upon each individually. www.cityofpriorlake.com Phone.9B2;441.i9800/Fax952,447.4245 Conclusion By submitting an oral or written statement of appeal to the local Board of Appeals and Equalization, each of the property owners has preserved his/her ability to appeal to the County Board and ultimately to the District Court (if they appear before the County Board). If the Council elects to adopt a value other than the Assessor's recommendation, it should articulate its rationale as part of the agenda item. ISSUES: Sitting as the Board of Appeals and Equalization, the City Council is expected to treat all properties utilizing the same criteria. Members of the Council have received training on this topic. Council members may wish to ask questions of those members if appropriate. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost of the reports prepared for the Board of Appeals and Equalization is included in the contract between the City and Scott County Assessor's Office. The impact of the valuation adjustments which the Council will consider is unknown because other factors are involved which are unrelated to the Board of Appeals and Equalization. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Adopt the Scott County Assessor's Consent Agenda for values agreed upon prior to May 4. 2. Adopt the Assessor's values as recommended for those properties appealed on May 4. 3. Act upon any properties (if any) which the Council believes merit additional consideration beyond the Assessor's recommendation. RECOMMENDED Alternatives 1, 2 and 3, in that order. MOTION: