June 1, 2010 Board of Equalization meeting minutes

MINUTES OF THE WARD COUNTY BOARD OF EQUALIZATION

June 1, 2010

 

The meeting of the Ward County Board of Equalization was called to order by Chairman Christianson at 10:42 a.m. with Comms. Fjeldahl, Gruenberg, Erickson and Nybakken present. Also present was Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad; Director of Tax Equalization Mike Vendsel; and Minot City Assessor Kevin Ternes.

 

Vendsel reviewed the duties of the Board.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the assessment roll for Township 151-83 (formerly Rushville Township). True and full values of existing residential properties were increased 9%. Ag land values were increased by 7%. The commercial properties in this township were unchanged from the prior year.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Ternes appeared to address a request from Nicholas Hunter of Paradigm Tax Group regarding a reduction in the assessed valuation for the Menards store located at 101 28th Ave SE in Minot.

 

At 10:49 a.m. Chairman Christianson left the meeting.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to disapprove Paradigm Tax Group’s request for a reduction in value for the Menard’s store at 101 28th Ave SE.  Roll call vote: Comm. Fjeldahl voted no; Comms. Nybakken, Erickson and Gruenberg voted yes; motion carried.

 

The following appeared for comment regarding the 2010 valuations of their homes: Richard White, 1201 47th Ave SW, Minot; James Gustafson, 1200 8th Ave NE, Minot; David Kimball, 1019 42nd Street SE, Minot; Sharon Neshem, 19201 191st Ave SW, Ryder; Cherlene Kelsch, 1716 12th Street SW, Minot; Leona Petersen, 466 and 525 N Rice Lake Road, Douglas.  Ternes and Vendsel will follow up with the property owners.

 

David Bachmeier, 25 N Rice Lake Road, Douglas, appeared to dispute the assessment on his property.  Vendsel stated he reviewed the property card and is comfortable with the value.  Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to deny the request to reduce 2010 property value.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Linda Anderson, 343 N Rice Lake Rd, Douglas, appeared to state that she believes the Township Board agreed with the valuation increases because the members do not believe they have the authority to change the values.

 

Comm. Fjeldahl left the meeting at 11:31 a.m. and returned at 11:33 a.m.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to increase the residential values in Shealy Township by 9%.  The Township Board denied the recommended increase at the local equalization meeting.  Roll call vote: Comms. Nybakken, Erickson and Gruenberg voted yes; Comm. Fjeldahl voted no; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl not to increase Vang Township residential values by 9%.  The Township Board denied the recommended increase at the local equalization meeting.  Motion died for lack of second.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to increase Vang Township residential values by 9%.  Roll call vote: Comms. Nybakken, Erickson and Gruenberg voted yes; Comm. Fjeldahl voted no; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to increase the Mandan Township residential values by an additional 4.5%.  The Township Board approved one half of the recommended 9% increase.  Roll call vote: Comms. Nybakken, Erickson and Gruenberg voted yes; Comm. Fjeldahl abstained; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to increase Berthold City residential values by 16%.  City Equalization Board denied the entire recommended increase for 2010.  Roll call vote: Comms. Nybakken, Erickson and Gruenberg voted yes; Comm. Fjeldahl voted no; motion carried.

 

Vendsel informed the Board that agricultural land values which were certified by the Commissioners in January of 2010 will be in the 90% range.  The State Board meets in August.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to recess the Board of Equalization until the June 15th meeting.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 11:49 a.m., the Board of Equalization was recessed.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 15TH DAY OF JUNE, 2010.

 

s/ Bruce I Christianson

Chairman, Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad

Auditor/Treasurer, Ward County