1973-4949rRt;SOLU`l'ION PTO. X949
RECOMMENDATION OF THE GOVERNMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES COMMIT'T`EE TO TIDE
HENNEPIN COUNTY LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES REGARDING THE GOVERNOR'S
PROPOSAL TO FREEZE REASSESSMENTS FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS
WHEREAS, the City of Richfield recommends opposing any legislation which
would implement the governor`s recommendations In regard to a tv~o-year suspension
of reassessments, and
WHEREAS, the Omnibus Tax Bill passed in the fall of 1971 went a long way in
strengthening the property tax system. Legislation providing for the valuing of property
at full market value with notification to homeowners of raises in value, improvements
in the timing of the assessment and review process, provision for filing of certificates
of value in property transfers, provision for training and certification of assessors and
increased funding for the state tax department to enable it to carry out its legislative
mandate to equalize values through the state are examples of enlightened modification
of our property tax laws,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Richfield strongly requests
the legislature to continue its efforts to improve the property tax system, but we
oppose any freeze on reassessments. Such a freeze would penalize those communities
who have made a strong effort to maintain equity in their assessments and those home-
owners in areas which have recently been reassessed. We feel that each taxpayer
wants to pay no more than his fair share and wants reassessment to be an on-going
process which will work to eliminate inequities. Further, we believe that a freeze
would destroy the basis upon which property is valued for tax purposes and create greater
problems for individual municipalities and homeowners due to increases in value which
will occur during the period of such a freeze. Furthermore, establishment of current
value does influence the distribution of other aids to local governments. Any freeze on
reassessments would also freeze in inequities in this respect.
Passed by the City Council of the City of Richfield, Minnesota this 26th day of
March, 1973.
ATTEST:
~,
~_
,~
j
Thomas J. Moran City Clerk