HomeMy WebLinkAbout13.F.3. Board of Review Continuation Discussion
/3.F: 3/
CITY OF SHAKOPEE
Memorandum
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Mark McNeill, City Administrator
SUBJECT: Board of Review
DATE: June 16,2009
Comment:
Introduction:
The City Council is asked to give direction to staff as to whether it wishes to retain the
current local Board of Review, or go to what is known as an "Open Book" system where
Scott County would take over the review of all property valuations.
Background:
According to Minnesota Law, cities may choose to operate their own Boards and Review,
or they may defer that discussion to the local county in what is known as an "Open
Book" system. In the latter, the County Board or their designees hear challenges from
local property owners regarding property valuations.
Shakopee has always operated its own Board of Review. This year, more than thirty
Shakopee property owners made appeals. For the first of the two meetings that were held
this year, in almost every case the appellant was directed to set up a meeting with the
Scott County Assessor to review the situation The Assessor made a recommendation to
resolve the issue at the second meeting, and in each case that was confirmed by the
Board.
If the Council chooses to go to the "Open Book" system, it would eliminate potentially
those two meetings for the members of the Board. It would also provide local property
owners with additional time in to which to meet with the County Assessor, as they would
not have to deal with meeting the Shakopee deadline. Typically, appellants have from
mid-March until May to work with the assessor. In addition, it reduces the number of
meetings that an appealing property owner must attend--they know that they will go
directly to the County's meeting.
The downside of eliminating the local Board of Review is there would be less local input
and control.
From the County Assessor's viewpoint, Shakopee is unique in that it gives him a way to
determine how many people from our City will show up for the county meeting. He also
commends Shakopee for having "real-estate experts" sit on the Board of Review; the
other Scott County Cities with local boards have those consisting solely of their elected
officials, who may not be as knowledgeable about real estate issues.
In Scott County, Shakopee is joined by Belle Plaine and Prior Lake in retaining their
local Boards of Review. Savage, Elko New Market, Jordan, and New Prague have gone
to the "Open Book" system. In Carver County, all cities are "Open Book", but their
townships retain local Boards of Review.
Recommendation:
Staffs recommendation is to go to the "Open Book" system, and eliminate the local
Board of Review.
Relationship to Visioning:
This supports Goal F, "Housekeeping".
Action Required:
Council is asked to give direction as to whether it wishes to retain the local Board of
Review.
~oR1LuJJJl
Mark McNeill
City Administrator
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