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Protests from aggrieved land owners pays off |
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Thursday, 08 May 2008 |
Jennifer Larson
Staff Writer
For some aggrieved property owners, showing up to the April 21 city of Forest Lake Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting paid off.
Last month, 86 residents turned out for the opportunity to review and challenge, if necessary, their estimate of market value and/or classification that will be used for taxation purposes in the following year. The notices for payable tax values for 2009 were mailed in early April.
Another 21 letters were submitted to the city by property owners who were unable to attend the special meeting.
The city of Forest Lake Board of Equalization listened to residents discussing their payable tax values for 2009 on April 21.
More than 30 of the 107 that either attended the meeting or stated their protests in writing received changes to the property value while the others remained the same.
The local Board of Appeals and Equalization, comprised of the Forest Lake City Council, accepted maintenance changes for some 30-odd property owners as recommended by Washington County during a continuation of the special meeting on May 5. Absent was councilwoman Susan Young.
According to Washington County Director of Assessment Taxpayer Services and Elections Kevin Corbid, amended notices will be mailed to those affected within days.
Other avenues
Mayor Stev Stegner said there are quite a few who had an adjustment to values. In regards to those where changes were not recommended and disagree with the summary of facts, they can appeal to Washington County only if after being before the local board.
The roughly 70 property owners without recommendation changes can appear before the County Board of Appeal and Equalization scheduled for Tuesday, June 17.
If a property owner would like to be placed on the agenda, they should contact the county at 651-430-8645 by Friday, May 16.
Corbid said residents should bring whatever documentation they have – whether that’s a fee appraisal – to make their case for a lower valuation.
Officials said the burden of proof lies with the property owner.
If the property owner is still unsatisfied by the assessment, and neither the city nor the county board of appeals and equalization have rectified the situation, property owners file a petition in Minnesota Tax Court by April 30, 2009.
For more information about the tax court visit www.taxcourt.state.mn.us or contact (651) 296-2806.
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