BOARD OF APPEALS & EQUALIZATION MINUTES

DEEPHAVEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Monday, April 4, 2005

6:30 PM

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor ProTem Skrede called the meeting to order at 6:36 PM.

PRESENT: Mayor ProTem Paul Skrede, Councilmembers Kimberly Crockett, Keith Kask and John Wheaton.

ABSENT: Tom Anderson

STAFF: City Administrator Dana Young, City Assessor Daniel Distel, Bill Effertz of Hennepin County and City Clerk Sandy Langley

2. BOARD OF APPEALS & EQUALIZATION

Chairman Skrede addressed the audience by stating that the purpose of tonight’s meeting is to review property valuations and hear from property owners who would like to appeal their estimated market value set by the Assessor for 2005.

John Rodgers, 18950 James Avenue, stated he was very surprised to see his market value has gone up 37.2%. He was told it was due to land value in his neighborhood. He said he was paying twice the tax increase per square foot of properties with lakeshore. He would like to see a reconsideration of this increase.

Dick Brown, 19155 Azure Road, voiced his concern about the tax rates for homes purchased at prices far in excess of their assessed value. He stated that the taxable market value of these properties for tax purposes is substantially undervalued and that new property owners should pay property taxes at their full market value following a purchase. Mr. Brown feels that since his home and others in the neighborhood are being taxed at their full market value, that he and his neighbors are, in effect, subsidizing the newly purchased homes.

3. RECESS & RECONVENE

There being no further business before the Board of Review, Chairman Skrede recessed the Board of Appeal & Equalization at 7:34 PM and noted that it would reconvene on the Council Agenda after “Matters from the floor”.

The Board of Appeal & Equalization reconvened at 8:45PM.

City Assessor Dan Distel stated that after discussing the property issues on 18950 James Avenue that an adjustment should be made to the land because of the uneven nature of the lot; the back half of the lot slopes significantly thus affecting what size structure might be placed on it in the future. The new land value would be $170,000 and the structure would remain at $74,000 for a total of $244,000.

Councilmember Wheaton moved to approve the reduction to 18950 James Avenue in the land from $195,000 to $170,000. Total value will be $244,000. Councilmember Crockett seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM.