05-07-02 agendaCITY OF RICHFIELD
TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2002
LOCAL BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
6:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
AGENDA
Call to order
Roll call
I. Convening of 2002 Richfield Board of Equalization
Staff Report No. 121
Adjournment
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request.
Requests must be made at least 96 hours in advance to the Administrative
Services Director at 612-861-9702.
AGENDA ITEM # T
REPORT # 121
J STAFF REPORT
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
MAY 7, 2002
REPORT PREPARED BY: STEVEN L. DEVICH, ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES DIRECTOR
NAME, TITLE
REPORT PRESENTER: STEVEN L. DEVICH, ADMINISTRATIVE
SERV E DIRECTOR
N ,TITLE
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR REVIEW:
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REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: ~`1; 1 ~~ n ~FQ ~ ~, , ~
ITEM FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION:
Convening of the 2002 Board of Equalization.
I. RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Convene the 2002 Board of Equalization and By Motion: Act on each
individual a peal to the Board.
II. BACKGROUND
The 2002 Richfield Board of Equalization is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7, 2002 at
6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. As provided by City Charter, the
Board of Equalization consists of the Mayor, Council Members and two citizens
appointed by the City Manager with confirmation by the City. Council. Mr. Lawrence
Emond and Mr. Glenn Erickson were recently appointed to serve on the 2002 Board
of Equalization.
~~, The duties and responsibilities of the Board of Equalization are established by State
law. In general, it is the Board's responsibility to hear appeals by property owners
from the Estimated Market Values (EMV) established by the City Assessor and to
determine if market values should be adjusted. The appeals must focus on market
0507equal
values rather than tax rates or other concerns which property owners may bring up
to the Board.
Each parcel of property in Richfield has had an EMV set as of January 2, 2002.
Overall, residential property values increased by approximately 13.2% from 2001
values. Properties which were physically reappraised received reductions and
increases, but were generally increased. Properties which were not physically
reappraised received statistical adjustments based on the characteristics of the
property and a computer assisted assessment.
The Richfield property assessment was conducted through a contract with
Hennepin County, which is supervised by the Administrative Services Department.
Staff works closely with the Hennepin County Property Appraisers to ensure that the
local assessment complies with the provision of the law. For example, the
Administrative Services Director verifies that the number of on-site properties
appraised for 2002 meets the standard (25% of total properties in the City)
established by law.
In addition, the median ratio (comparing EMV to sales price) for Richfield's 2002
assessment is 95.3%. The County Assessor's suggested level of assessment
(median ratio) for all municipalities in Hennepin County is 95%. Thus, the Richfield
local assessment is on target with comparable Hennepin County communities.
On March 14, 2002 property valuation notices were mailed to all property owners
showing the 2002 EMV. The notices advised property owners to contact the City
Assessor's office regarding any questions or to schedule an appearance before the
Board of Equalization if the property owner desired to challenge the EMV. About 74
inquiries have been received to date, as compared to 99 last year. In addition,
Assessing staff did 10 property reviews. Some resulted in adjustments by the
Assessing staff.
III. BASIS OF RECOMMENDATION
A. POLICY
• State Statute and City Charter mandate a Board of Equalization
Hearing each year to be conducted before May 31.
• The City Council has established Tuesday, May 7, 2002 at 6:30 p.m.
as the date and time of the Board of Equalization Hearing for 2002.
B. CRITICAL ISSUES
• To date, two individuals have notified City staff requesting to appear
before the Local Board.
• The Board must be completed within 20 days of the day the Board is
first convened.
C. FINANCIAL
• None
D. LEGAL
-~ • Any adjustments made by the Richfield Board of Equalization will be
recorded on the property assessment rolls. After appearing at the
Local Board, property owners may subsequently appeal to the
Hennepin County Board of Equalization and/or the State Tax Court.
• Notice of the hearing has been published and posted pursuant to law.
IV. ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATION~S~-
• None
V. ATTACI-IlVIENTS
• Property comparison analysis will be distributed at the Council meeting.
VI. PRINCIPAL PARTIES EXPECTED AT MEETING
• Craig Lone, Hennepin County Property Appraiser