Commissioners convene as Board of Appeal

Jake Keohen, Montgomery Messenger

The Le Sueur County commissioners convened as a Board of Appeal and Equalization at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 13, in the commissioner's room at the courthouse in Le Center.

The commissioners were administered the Oath of the Equalization Board by County Coordinator Peggy Donovan, after which a chairman and vice-chairman were elected - in this case, same as current board officers, Chairman Joe Doherty and Vice-Chairman Joe Connolly.

The Board of Appeal and Equalization is held to provide taxpayers the opportunity to 'appeal' or question their property valuations. They may appear at their local equalization board, followed by the county board, or tax court would be another option.

Several people appeared Saturday morning, in person or in writing, questioning property valuations. All were referred back to the office of County Assessor Dave Armstrong, who will look at each situation and recommend any changes (or no adjustment) when the Board of Appeal is reconvened Tuesday, June 23, at 9:30 a.m.

Short business meeting

The county board also held a brief regular meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday, prior to the board of appeal session.

Claims were approved and the board received a brief report from County Auditor Ron Germscheid concerning truth-in-taxation public hearings and plans for future hearings on ditch liens. Germscheid said truth-in-taxation hearings have been abolished by the legislature, but based on preliminary information he has received, governmental units will be required to hold evening meetings for setting their levies and budgets.