Town of Wilma Boardof Equalization and Review, April 25, 2012

Town of Wilma Boardof Equalization and Review, April 25, 2012

           The Board of Supervisors met for the annual Board of Equalization and Review at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 25, 2012.  Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Supervisors Gary Vink and Michael McCullen, County Assessor Troy Stewart, Assessor Jenny Mansavage, andWilmaTownship’s Assessor Robert Brewster, Clerk Paul Raymond, and Eldon and Marjorie Schmedeke were present.

          Mike moved that the minutes of last year’s Board of Review be  waived; Gary seconded.

          Eldon and Marjorie Schmedeke had several parcels that they wished to have reviewed:   R32:0108, 0104, 0122, 0102, and 0103.

Eldon first thanked the county and Wilma assessors for reducing the property valuations inWilmaTownship; he said he’d been paying too much in taxes.  Because of very wealthy Twin Cities’ people purchasing land near Eldon’s, the county bases values on these top-dollar sales, and regular taxpayers end up paying the bill.

R32:0108:  OnPete Anderson Road, second 40 in.  Both he and the owner of the first 40 have swampland.  The assessor has Eldon’s swamp at 14 acres, and the first 40 at 23 acres, but Eldon believes they are almost identical.  The first 40 is assessed at $31,100 while Eldon’s is valued at $40,600.    The assessor said the corner 40 borders two roads.

32:0104 and 32:0112 are appraised as having access.  Eldon said there is no road access, and if they were sold they would be landlocked.

32:0106: Has half-access.  Rivers run through 106,112 and 104.

32:0102 and 0103:  Eldon said this is valued as high ground, while it is the flats and unbuildable.  He said the appraisers only see it from the sky, not from the ground.  Troy Stewart said high ground is valued at $1,225/acre, and waste at $300.

Michael McCullen, Parcel 32:0152:  Mike’s value has gone down from $187,000 to $156,300.  But he knows of a cabin on Co. Road 30 near Sandstone, built of similar logs but much larger, with an additional house, a huge pole barn and a big pond. The county appraised it at $181,000, and earlier appraised at $221,000, but it sold in January for $156,000, after years of being on the market.  Mike has 27 acres, while the other property has 5, but Mike thinks they also have Sandstone city water and sewer.  Mike asked if he got an independent appraisal, would the County Assessor take that into consideration. Troy said yes, but the county’s appraisals are always a year behind, based on Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 of the previous year, just as our levies don’t take effect until the next fiscal year.  Everyone is treated equally, but may not equal a current appraisal. The assessor’s records show that the Sandstone property is not inSandstoneCity, and is 2.5 acres.  Because Mike is a Supervisor, his case can not be decided by the Wilma Board, but Mike said he wanted it on the record that his property is over-priced, based on nearby sales.  Mike can appeal to the county, but Bob Brewster does not attend County Assessor Boards of Review.

Bill Corniea, Twin Creeks Campground, letter to the board, Parcel 32:8900.  When the trailer was inspected, it did not have a current license tab, so was valued as a permanent trailer at $6,000.  He has purchased tabs and is current, and asked the appraisal to be reversed.

BOARD DECISIONS:

Eldon Schmedeke:  R32:0108: Troy recommended and Mike moved and Gary seconded to add 3 more acres of swamp, which would lower the value to from $40,600 to $37,800.  Passed.

R32:0104:  Assessor recommended and Mike moved and Gary seconded to remove access.  Value lowered from $41,900 to $36,600.

32:0112: Troyat first recommended no change, but this is also no-access, so agreed to change. Gary moved and Mike seconded to remove site-access, reducing it from $40,400 to $35,100, $5,300.   Passed.

32:0106: Troy recommends, Gary moved, Mike seconded to change to no access, change from $41,900 to $36,600. Total reduction of 104, 106, and 112, $5,300 per parcel, total $15,900.

32:0102 and 0103, side-by-side 80 acres. Troy recommended and Mike moved that Eldon walk out this land with Bob Brewster to see how many acres are high ground.  If Bob recommends a change, Eldon can appeal at the county.

Bill Corniea:  Mike moved andGary seconded to accept his new tags and remove the appraisal.  Passed.

Mike McCullen:  Glen moved andGary seconded to have Bob inspect Mike’s house to report to the county, but because of Mike being on the board to vote no change.  Mike can then appeal at the county level.  Bob agreed to stop by Mikes’ after the Board of Review.

The Board thanked the Assessors Troy Stewart, Jenny Mansavage and Bob Brewster for coming out to the township.  Mike moved to adjourn;Garyseconded.  Meeting adjourned at 11:30.

Paul Raymond, Clerk

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING APRIL 4, 2012

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING  APRIL 4, 2012 

          Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Supervisors Gary Vink and Michael McCullen, Treasurer Patrice Winfield and Clerk Paul Raymond were also present.

Paul read the record of the March board meeting.  Garymoved to approve; Mike seconded.  Paul read the Annual Meeting record from March 13th.  Mike moved to approve;Gary seconded.  Approved.

Tri-State Escrow:  The $500 escrow payment by Tri-State Lumber for work on theNorth Duncan Road bounced.  Glen moved that the Board direct Paul to send Tri-State a certified return-requested letter telling them not to return to our township until they have sent us a certified check for the $500 plus a $30 penalty.  We will tell them they have 10 days from the receipt of the letter to comply, or we will use all legal remedies.  They are not to remove any wood from our township until they pay.

County Officers’ Meeting:  Paul gave a short description of the speakers and subjects at the meeting inHinckley on Sat. March 31.  The two biggest issues relevant to our town is the high-speed railway from the Cities toDuluth and the attempted takeover of our hospital,PineMedicalCenter, by Essentia.  TheCountyOfficers passed a resolution to oppose this takeover and to support local control of our hospital, and to send letters to this effect to state, federal, and county officials.  Glen moved that the town board pass a similar resolution and communicate this to our commissioners and representatives and to Essentia and our local hospital board. Gary seconded.  Paul will write the letters.

FEMA Update:  Doug Stahl, Public Assistance Engineer with the State said on April 2 that they will start making payments in the next 3-4 weeks, when they’ll pay about 97%, and then the balance after we send our work completion forms and invoices.

Seven County Senior Federation Donation:  At the Annual Meeting, the voters approved sending the Federation a donation of $100 to enter into a contract for services to our seniors.  Mike moved that the Board approve this donation;Gary seconded.  Patrice has the contract and will send it.

Pine County Historical Society:  MN. Statute 138.053 says townships can make donations to county historical societies if they are approved by the state historical society.  The voters had approved a $1 per citizen donation for 2012, or $63 based on the last census. Gary moved that we send them $63 once we confirm that they are in fact approved.  Glen seconded.

Town Hall Addition:  The voters approved this project.  Mark questioned the soundness of our foundation.  Paul volunteered to solicit quotes and estimates from contractors, and Patrice agreed to work with the contractors to draw up a floor plan.  We will ask contractors to do an inspection of our foundation and draw up a feasibility study for the project and provide estimates or quotes.  Two builders we will contact are Glen Roberts and Melvin Elliot, Jr.

Dental Coverage for Officers:   The voters had voted to approve the town covering half of the cost of group dental insurance for township officers.  The board discussed who should be included, and what percentage the township would pay.  Mike moved that the township pay half of the cost of premiums for elected officers only, and that if appointed deputies wish to join the group plan, that they can pay the full premiums. Gary seconded.  The monthly cost per officer is $32.16.  Officers will pay their half, $16.31, at the monthly meetings.

Group Life Insurance:  The town has been covering officers for a minimum group-life policy for years.  Glen moved that we continue this and pay the premium, and that appointed deputies also be included.  Mike seconded.

Road Maintenance and Gravel:  Glen said that we will wait until the spring road inspection to determine what roads need gravel and work.  This will be in May, and the date can be set at the May meeting.

Board of Appeal/Equalization:  This is April 25 at 10 a.m.  Only Glen has been certified as a trained assessment supervisor.  His certification expires on Nov. 30, 2013. Gary said he will be trained at the summer short course on June 28 inCarlton and filled out the application.  At least two supervisors need to attend the Board of Appeal.

Election Judge Training:  For all judges, training is in Askov on June 13, from 1 – 3 p.m., or inHinckley on June 14 at the Community Center from 9 – 11 a.m.  Paul has to get extra training June 7 in Sandstone, or maybe at the summer short course.

Town Hall Tables:  Sue Koecher said thatSt. Paul’sLutheranChurch in Bruno may donate some folding tables for our town hall.  Mike asked us to see if they also have chairs they can donate.  If we get more tables, we will need more chairs.  We can use the benches, if necessary.

Spring Short Course:  This is Friday, 4/6 inCarlton.  Paul and Patrice will car-pool, and Glen and Toni will drive.  Toni is getting refresher training.

Satellite Internet:  Glen said he uses his computer and satellite connection for a lot of township business, especially with the clerk.  The clerk and treasurer both have their satellite connections subsidized by the town at $10/month, and Glen said we should extend this to any officer who uses his computer for significant township business and correspondence.    There was discussion, and a decision to table this until the annual meeting next March.

Treasurer’s Report and Bills:  Patrice gave the Treasurer’s Report (attached) and bills were presented:

PineCo.Courier                                         $        37.60

ECE                                                                     52.14

The Evergreen                                                      52.00

Mark Pallow (expenses)                                       17.76

Glen Williamson (expenses)                                 33.30

Paul Raymond (expenses)                                    54.52

Barb Smith (judge)                                               40.00

Antoinette Williamson (judge)                             40.00

Patrice Winfield (judge/internet)                           52.50

Aspire (Township Website for 2012)                             210.00

U.S. Treasurer (1st Qtr. Withholding)                            318.34

Mn. Benefit Assoc. (life insurance)                      229.00

Seven County Senior Federation                          100.00

Mike McCullen                                                     38.21

Mark Pallow                                                         28.30

Paul Raymond                                                     356.64

Glen Williamson                                                  142.71

Frank Rehberger                                                  178.32

Gary Vink                                                            157.57

Patrice Winfield                                                    230.21

Total Bills                      $     2,369.12

Garymoved to pay all the claims, to approve the treasurer’s report, and to transfer $2,400 from savings into checking.  Mike seconded.   Glen moved to adjourn the meeting. Garyseconded.  Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Paul Raymond, Clerk