City council holds Board of Appeal
The Montgomery City Council held a special meeting for the required local Board of Appeal & Equalization public hearing on Monday, April 8.
Le Sueur County Assessor Dave Armstrong and Deputy Assessor Tom Widmer were present for the hearing, making their office available to property owners who could inquire about market values.
The hearing did not draw any property owners that evening, but the officials said they have five or six parcels which have been questioned and are under consideration. The assessor’s recommendations will be presented to the county board of appeal when it convenes in June.
The county officials presented information concerning property taxation, including the county sales ratio, improved sales analysis, guidelines for accepting or rejecting sales, and a letter from the state property tax division regarding changes to the state law for boards of appeal and equalization.
The property value that the 2013 taxes are based on is already set, and there is no changing it at this point. At this meeting, the property values that can be contested are those for taxes payable in 2014.
Other Actions:
The council had a few items on the agenda for the special meeting that evening.
—The council meeting scheduled for Monday, April 15, has been cancelled. The next regular meeting is Monday, May 6, at 7 p.m.
—Police Chief John Schmidt gave his monthly report, after which the council accepted John Gramling’s resignation as a part time police officer, and on recommendation of the chief, authorized advertising for four part time officers. City Administrator Steve Helget said the department would like to increase its roster of part-timers to be available in the future.
—The council accepted EMS Director Neil Vlasak’s recommendation to purchase a 2012 hydraulic power Stryker Cot for the ambulance from North Central Emergency Vehicles of Lester Prairie, at quoted price of $12,147. Vlasak said the current cot is 12-years-old and the average life span is 8-10 years.
