CR 2004-001 Board of Review Transfer
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January 6, 2004 ~ Council Report 2004-001
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BOARD OF REVIEW TRANSFER
Proposed Action
Staff recommends that the Council approve the following motion: Move approval of transferring the
powers and duties of the Board of Review to Hennepin COlUltv for a period of three vears.
- This action will replace the current Board of Review process with the Hennepin County "open book"
process.
Overview
The governing body of any home rule charter or statutory city may transfer the powers and duties of the
board of appeal and equalization (Board of Review) to the county board, and no longer perform the function
- of a local board. This transfer of duties to the county may either be perrnanentor for a specified number of
years, provided that the transfer cannot be for less than three years.
Before the governing body of a city transfers the powers and duties to the county board, the city's governing
body shall give public notice of the meeting at which the proposal for transfer is to _ be considered. A public
. notice was published in: the offiCial newspaper prior to the January 6 City CoUIicil meeting.
Primary Issues to Consider
. What is the current process?
. Why turn it over to the County?
Supportine: Information
. - Analysis of the Issues
s A. Genellie
sistant City Manager
Financial Impact: $ Budgeted: Y IN Source: General Fund
Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.):
. Notes: The City will save several hundred dollars annually.
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Council Report 2004-001
. Page 2
Analvsis of the Issues:
What is the current process?
The Hopkins City Council currently acts as the Board of Review. Prior to the Board meeting, the City
Assessor and Appraiser would meet with residents who questioned the values placed on their homes. If tpe
Assessor could not resolve the issue, the homeowner could appeal to the Board of Review.
After the local board of review, the homeowner could appeal to the County Board of Appeal and
Equalization.
Why turn it over to the County?
When the City had its own assessor, it made sense for the Council to act as the Board of Review. Now that
the assessing duties have been turned over to Hennepin County, the City will have no role in determining
the values placed on properties in Hopkins. If the County is going to be responsible for the entire process,
does it make sense to have the Hopkins City Council continue to act as a: local board of review?
In the future, County Appraisers would conduct an "open book" process where they would be available to
discuss valuations with property owners. Appeals would be made to the County board of equalization.
. Hennepin County would provide the City with a report on all appeals.
Alternatives
1. Approve transferring the duties of the board of review to Hennepin County for a period of three
years.
2. Approve permanently transferring the duties of the board of review to Hennepin County.
3. Do not approve the transfer. The Hopkins City Council would continue to act as the Board of
Review.
Staffrecommends Alternative #1.
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