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CITY OF SHOREWOOD
BOARD OF REVIEW
WEDNESDA Y, APRIL 1, 1998
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
1. CONVENE BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING
Mayor Dahlberg called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
A.
Roll Call
Present:
Mayor Dahlberg; Councilmembers Stover, McCarty, O'Neill and Garfunkel; City
Assessor Rolf Erickson; and Executive Secretary / Deputy Clerk Teri Naab.
Review Agenda
B.
Mayor Dahlberg moved, Stover seconded, to amend the agenda moving item # 5
before #3. Motion passed unanimously.
2. PRESENTATION BY CITY ASSESSOR
Rolf Erickson, City Assessor, explained the work of the city assessor is guided by state law. Mr.
Erickson explained the job of the city assessor is to value each property every year at market value
and to correctly classify the property.
Mr. Erickson stated in the City of Shorewood bungalows increased approximately 10%,
commercial property approximately 5%; some residential parcels were reduced, and the Christmas
Lake area and the Islands had the largest increases. Overalllakeshore properties for the entire City
were increased an average of 10.8%.
Mr. Erickson explained any resident requesting a revaluation will need to set an appointment for
the assessor to view the home. At that point, a recommendation will be made to the Board. In the
event a property owner is not satisfied with the valuation of their property, they may fIle an appeal
with the County Board of Equalization. A property owner may also file in Tax Court at any time
up until March 31, 1999, on this value.
5. ESTABLISH DATE FOR BOARD TO RECONVENE
Mayor Dahlberg moved, Garfunkel seconded, to reconvene the Board of Review
at 7:00 p.m. on April 13, 1998. Motion passed 5/0.
3. TESTIMONY BY RESIDENTS
William B. Wicka, 27930 Smithtown Road, PID 31-117-23 34 0001, stated his value
was reduced by the County Board last year from $720,000 to $695,000. This year his value is
$746,000. He felt that was too much of an increase.
Jeff Aschenbeck, 6050 Chestnut Court, PID 36-117-23 44 0023, stated there was a
recent sale of a neighboring house exactly like his but with a [mished basement for $190,000. His
value for 1998 is $198,000 and in 1997 it was $187,000. He felt this to be unfair. He noted he
had a recent appraisal, which O'Neill asked to see a copy of.
Stover questioned why there would be such a discrepancy.
BOARD OF REVIEW MINUTES
APRIL 1, 1998 - PAGE 2
. Erickson stated he would have to review his files and the property.
Dennis Jabs, 20915 Radisson Road, PID 35-117-23 11 0081, handed out a
comparison sheet (Exhibit B). He explained upon review of statistics for the area, he found the
average increase for the past four years, based upon MLS information, for the lake area has been
16.12% whereas his was 48.04%. He did not feel that sales of lakeshore property warranted the
huge increase they have seeing in market value.
Erickson explained entry levellakeshore properties are selling close to $300,000, and he felt the
values reflected the current market conditions.
O'Neill asked the assessor to supply a 12 year history of this property along with his
recommendation.
Pat McDavitt, 21125 Christmas Lane, PID 35-117-23 44 0005, stated in 1997 his
value was $515,000, and in 1998 $595,000, which is an $80,000 increase. He noted the land is
valued at $460,000. His lot is 1.5 to 2 acres with 160' lakeshore. However, there is a steep slope
from the house to the lake, and the property is split by a driveway. He felt a good compromise
would be $420,000 for the land valuation.
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Mark Stageberg, 21075 Radisson Road, PID 35-117-23 11 0079, questioned the
9.2% increase on his property and the Christmas Lake area in general.
Erickson responded the Christmas Lake area has been undervalued for some time. This year the
concentration was on the southeast area of the City, so consequently property owners in that area
are seeing a valuation which reflects the current market trends.
Stageberg stated his lot is not very desirable given it is right off Highway 7, city water is not
available, the lake is very shallow, and the improvements to the Christmas Lake intersection were
not as the area wanted. He said in 1997 his property was $424,000 and in 1998 463,000, which
is a 9.2% increase.
Cliff Brandhorst, 27225 Smithtown Road, PID 31-117-23 44 0028, 31-117-23 41
0021 and 0022, explained he owns three parcels which include his residence and vacant
property used for agricultural purposes. Farming is how he makes a living. He stated his son
would like to take over the farming portion, but cannot consider it given the current rate of taxes on
the property. He stated in 1994 the lots were valued at $1,400 and now are $33,000. All parcels
together were $191,000 in 1997 and are $244,000 in 1998, which is an 18% increase.
McCarty asked if he has considered any of the programs available to limit the value.
Erickson explained one must have 10 acres to qualify for the green acres classification.
Garfunkel explained the City is currently looking into various tools available to homeowners with
regard to land conservation. He suggested Brandhorst contact Dean Riesen to discuss these
options.
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BOARD OF REVIEW MINUTES
APRIL 1, 1998 - PAGE 3
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Erickson explained the property is currently classified as agricultural. There is only one other
parcel in the City used for agricultural purposes. He stated this parcel was overlooked last year
due to the necessity to hand calculate the valuation, so in essence, the owner has gotten a bargain.
He reminded them if the property owner went to the County with this appeal, the value might be
increased. He also noted that should the owner decide to dedicate this land as a conservation
easement, this procedure is permanent.
Jeff Fox, 5270 Howards Point Road, PID 30-117-23 44 0009, provided a handout
reflecting the land valuations for the west end of Howards Point Road (Exhibit C). He noted this
material had been provided to the Assessor previously for reference. He stated he was
representing his property and the three neighboring properties. He stated he purchased his
property in 1985, after it had been on the market for 11 months, for $222,000. In 12 years he has
witnessed a 230% increase to $504,000. He has been denied a permit for an addition to the current
residence due to the lot size and amount of hardcover. Fox indicated if need be he would pay for
an appraisal of all four properties to show the assessor.
Rod Helling, 26000 Shorewood Oaks Drive, PID 32-117-23 44 0022, stated he
closed on this house in April, 1997 for $219,000. He submitted a comparison sheet (Exhibit D).
The house has recently been appraised at $220,000. He noted his value is higher than neighboring
parcels on better lots. He felt this to be unfair, in spite of the fact that his home is new
construction. The 1998 value is $228,000.
Kelly Rogers, 20960 Radisson Road, PID 35-117-23 11 0015, stated her property
value has increased 33% over the past 6 years even though they are not on the lake, do not have
water available and the house was built in 1920. This year they realized a 9.23% increase to
$160,000.
. O'Neill suggested she supply the Board with history of the valuation since purchase.
Mayor Dahlberg asked the Assessor to supply the Board with historical data for all properties in
question for the reconvened meeting.
Roy D. Wegner, 21055 Radisson Road, PID 35-117-23 11 0080, stated he felt the
methodology used to evaluate parcels is not good.
Erickson explained that in addition to reviewing sections of the City every year, they also take into
consideration a set of facts for each parcel, the grade of construction, and trends in the market. He
noted they use methods prescribed to them by law.
Ray Barton, 5915 Christmas Lake Road, PID 35-117-23 42 0020, stated his value
has gone up 14% over the past two years. His land is valued at $240,000 even though his
lakeshore is inferior. He felt the land should be valued at $150,000. He noted he has a great view
of Highway 7.
John Hung, 20885 Radisson Road, PID 35-117-23 11 0011, stated his valuation has
increased 12%, which he felt was high but not unreasonable. He was present to show solidarity
with his neighbors. He questioned the entire process.
Mayor Dahlberg explained the current process and how the Board can reduce the value of those
appealing, but the total amount reduced cannot exceed 1 % of the entire valuation of the City, and
the Board cannot make aggregate adjustments.
. Hung said he felt the Board has been very respectful and thanked them for their time.
BOARD OF REVIEW MINUTES
APRIL 1, 1998 - PAGE 4
. Mike McDonald, 4695 Lagoon Drive, PID 30-117-23 31 0004. He did not speak.
Frank Fallon, 1050 Holly Lane, PID 35-117-23 44 0007, stated his land value had
increased 25% from $328,000 to $410,000. He reminded the assessor that the house is over 100
years old and could be considered a detriment to the property. He felt the cost to remove it and the
other accessory buildings should be subtracted from the total value in order to determine the true
market value of the property. He noted several real estate professionals have opined the property is
worth up to $500,000. He felt that would be a fair assessment.
Written Appeals Received:
Letters from the following residents who were unable to attend the meeting were received by the
Board of Review:
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Property Owner
Maud Wadsworth
David Greer
Robert Carr
Amy K vilseth
Arno Windsor
Betty Norton
Ron Johnson
Address
5460 Howards Point Road
5185 Shady Island Road
6080 Sierra Circle
4980 Shady Island Circle
4940 Sussex Place
23730 McLain Road
5355 Shady Hills Circle
4. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO ASSESSOR
PID
31-117-23110005
30-117-23420008
36-117-23430023
30-117 - 23 24 0005
25-117-23230057
34-117-23230030
36-117-23 11 0001
25-117-23440049
Mr. Erickson explained any property in which reconsideration was requested will be reviewed. If
a site visit has been made within the past two years, it may not be necessary to physically visit the
site again. A recommendation will then be made to the Board. In the event a property owner is not
satisfied with the valuation of their property, an appeal may be filed with the County Board of
Equalization. An appeal may also be filed in Tax Court at any time up until March 31, 1999, on
this valuation.
Mayor Dahlberg stressed the fact that the fee appraisal system used may not provide the necessary
data and can be very subjective. He felt comparables should be used to determine the validity of
the market value in the case of an appeal.
5. ESTABLISH DATE FOR BOARD TO RECONVENE
This item was acted on following #2, above.
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BOARD OF REVIEW MINUTES
APRIL 1, 1998 - PAGE 5
6. ADJOURN
McCarty moved, Stover seconded to adjourn the Board of Review at 9:23 p. m.
Motion passed 5/0.
RESPECTFULL Y SUBMITTED,
Teri Naab, Executive Secretary / Deputy Clerk
JA
AYOR