The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Wortham at 10 am. Supervisors Bilek, Peterson, & Wortham were in attendance, along with the Clerk and representatives from the county land services office, Gary Griffin & Sandra Ehrich. Nine residents were present.
Mr. Griffin started the meeting by reading a report explaining conditions and process relating to the assessment of property during the year. He explained the meeting procedure and the options that can be taken by the Town Board. He also reported on the overall changes to value within the township.
Dick Jordan, Mike Achterkierch, Dan Larson, Rob Birkeland, and Greg McGeary spoke to the Board regarding increases to valuation for properties within the Lake Country on Whitefish Association. A discussion of comparable sale values took place. Motion by Peterson, second by Wortham to make no change in valuation. Carried unanimous.
Richard Carlson asked for an adjustment to frontage value due to quality of beach area of his property on Big Narrows Bay. He also asked about the increase to a parcel within the Whitefish Narrows Association. The parcel was valued at $1800 for many years then went up to $83,900 in 2013. The parcel is nice beach area but is an unbuildable lot with limited access and no one in the association uses the area. Griffin pointed out that the parcel received significant adjustment to frontage rates due to the conditions of the lot, but that it was definitely worth more than $1800 because it could be used by the association or sold with the adjacent parcel to make it buildable. Motion by Peterson, second by Wortham to make no change in valuation. Carried unanimous.
Motion by Peterson, second by Wortham to adjust the Gibbons parcel to a 10% increase for each of the three owners. Carried unanimous.
Scott Mumm spoke to the Board saying that his parcel was off-lake but may be valued as a lakeshore property. Griffin explained that the parcel does have lake access via the adjacent parcel that the Mumm’s own and so his parcel is valued similar to other “lake access” parcels. A discussion of comparable building quality values took place. Motion by Peterson, second by Bilek to ask the assessor to revisit the building to confirm building quality & quantity. Carried unanimous. Griffin noted that they could make an adjustment for the lakeshore quality of the area. Motion by Peterson, second by Bilek to accept the change in valuation as proposed. Carried unanimous.
John Plein asked about valuation of portion of parcel on County Road 39 that was separated due to the rerouting of the road. Griffin offered that reduction of $2100 would be recommended due to lower value of property used as road right of way. Motion by Peterson, second by Bilek to accept the reduction as recommended. Carried unanimous.
Griffin presented information on 3 additional requests to be considered.
- Beyer property to adjust for not full basement and lot shape. Motion by Wortham, second by Peterson to adjust property value to $475,000. Carried unanimous.
- Schulte on Big Whitefish Narrows value reduced due to lakeshore and building quality. Motion by Peterson, second by Bilek to reduce building grade of guest quarters by ½ level and to reduce value of lake frontage by 10% for all properties within the bay to include the Richard Carlson property discussed earlier. Carried unanimous.
- Recommendation that the Windorski parcel be given a reduction of lakeshore quality level for heavy vegetation. Motion by Peterson, second by Bilek to accept the reduction as recommended. Carried unanimous.
- Recommendation to adjust a parcel within Peaceful Harbor that was misvalued due to clerical error. Motion by Peterson, second by Bilek to accept the reduction as recommended. Carried unanimous.
As there was no further business to transact, the meeting adjourned at 1:45 pm.
John Plein
Ideal Township Clerk
May 5th, 2015