Committee Minutes

Minutes of the Grand Forks City Council/Board of Equalization
Monday, June 18, 2007 - 6:45 p.m.___________________________

The city council of the city of Grand Forks, ND was called to meet as the Board of Equalization in the council chambers on Monday, June 18, 2007 at 6:45 p.m. with Mayor Brown presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Brooks, McNamara, Gershman, Bakken (teleconference), Kreun - 6; absent: Council Member Glassheim - 1.

APPROVE MINUTES OF JUNE 4, 2007

It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Brooks to approve the minutes of the June 4, 2007 meeting. Carried 6 votes affirmative.

CONSIDERATION OF PROTEST OF ASSESSOR'S VALUES

Mel Carsen, city assessor, reported that protests from 3 property owners went to the finance/development committee for consideration/review of their valuations on their property: Sandy Montgomery, 3411 Belmont Road; Dudley Benson, 1609 2nd Avenue North; US Foodservice, Inc., 4601 32nd Avenue North; that on the other protests received the assessors office upheld the value or made a change to the value and informed the owner of that and with that information the owner chose not to have a hearing. He also noted that the last name on the list, Doug Christensen, 19 Inland Hills Court, came into the office this morning, discussed information, that they had some difference of opinion in the effective age calculation and that he (Mr. Carsen) agreed that they would review the effective age calculation for all properties next year; and Mr. Christensen agreed to let his valuation stand for this year.

It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Brooks to accept the recommendations on the handout (attached), either as made by the finance/development standby committee or by the assessor's office. Carried 6 votes affirmative.

Mr. Carsen reported that all the values listed on the handout sheet were the values before the .7% decrease, that they have given all the residential land, buildings, commercial land and commercial buildings all a .7% decrease. The valuation increase over last year's by 7.77, and new valuation will be $130,460,290 and the mill would be worth about $130,500. He stated he will be getting a complete report out to council as to where that valuation came from.

CERTIFY ASSESSMENTS TO COUNTY AUDITOR

It was moved by Council Member Christensen and seconded by Council Member McNamara that the tax rolls as presented by the city assessor and equalized by the Board of Equalization are certified to the county auditor, Grand Forks County, North Dakota.

Upon call for the question and upon roll call vote, the following voted "aye": Council Members Brooks, McNamara, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 6; voting "nay": none. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried and the assessments certified.

ADJOURN

It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Brooks that we adjourn. Carried 6 votes affirmative.

Respectfully submitted,



John M. Schmisek
City Auditor.