Okay, we are ready when you are. Okay, good afternoon everybody. I will officially call the city of Nisswa local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting to order. It is Friday, April 17th at 1:00. Um, the local Board of Appeal and
Equalization is held to provide a fair and objective forum for property owners to appeal their valuation or classification. It is important to note this meeting is to discuss the 2026 assessment values and classifications only. No property
tax or previous years valuations can be considered at this meeting. All decisions should be adopted by a formal vote. Options available to the board include A, no change. B, lower the value. Uh,
note the city value cannot be reduced by more than 1% of the city's total valuation. The city's uh, 1% of that value is 15,408,187. The total value is 1.5 1,540,818,700. Um, C, the third option is to raise the
value. D, fourth is to change the classification. E is to have the assessor inspect the property and report to the local board within the 20-day format. Appellants with an appointment will be heard first, then it will be a first come, first
serve as you have signed up on today's sign-in sheet. Um, with that, we will turn it over um, to our county lead Gary to go from here. Take it from here. Uh, thank you, Mayor. Um, just uh, housekeeping for folks, if you haven't done this before, um, my name is
Gary Griffin. I'm the Land Services Director. One of my hats is County Assessor. Uh, um, Jason Budnick and Trevor Carney are both property assessors on staff. So, we're here just to give information to the City Council, but they are the ones making the decisions, but we're
here just to help with uh, why we the value is what it is or why the classification is the way it is. So, just as a quick FYI with that. Um, we had uh, 40 sales that uh, were improved that were residential or seasonal in the um, uh, city this year,
which is a really good um, uh, sample size. Um, and after we made all these adjustments, whether it was to acreage, to building values, to lake shore, uh, our median sale ratio was 97.85.
And how it works is every property that sold, we take um, our estimated market value that was on there from last year. We divide it by the amount paid. And that gives you a ratio. State law mandates that we're between 90 and 105%
of the median sale ratio. So, the middle sale in that group of 40 needs to be between that 90 and 105%. So, after all the changes that we did, well, you know, again, different types of property when it comes to um, on the water, off the water. You got
acreage, maybe a very small lot, things like that. Um, again, we're at 97.85. So, that tells somebody like me that um, we're a little bit on the conservative side potentially on the values. Um, of course, nobody believes that when the
the the assessor tells you that. Um, but that is what the uh, numbers do tell us at this time, um, Council. Um, any questions for us before you guys hear your first appeal? Any questions from Council? Okay, no. We're ready to go. All right,
the first one is Joel Peltier. Already up. Great. Well, thank you. I'm Joel Peltier. I don't know, is it Did you pull up the property already? Oh, okay. Okay. Great. So, I, you know, just from the
initial beginning, I just wanted to point out that, you know, initially when we built, these are very small lots on Fairway Pines in the Grandview development. Uh, when we initially bought, these were under $500,000 in 2021.
And we've had a number of pretty significant increases in property value, which I do understand. The But, this little niche development has not had a sale in the last 2 years. I think the previous uh, sale was 2023 in this little niche
development. But, these are all homes that are uh, there's no garages. These are small lots. The sales that occurred in 2023 were all under 900,000. So, there's anywhere from 829,000 to 800 and I think 79,000 in
that range. We can look that up, but uh, fact-check the hat, but uh, so, the you know, that's probably in line a little bit with the valuation increases that came on board through these last years, which I was a shock, but in the end, it's the
value of what people are getting. I think my current assessment in 2026 is now 1.1 some million, almost 1.2 million, which is a significant escalation. And I We did I
talked to two realtors, and both uh, came, did an inspection, and said they would market our property right now at 925, 930,000 dollars, and expect somewhere around 900,000 dollars in a sale.
I did pull up additional properties that are on the golf course that are for sale right now. One is a pending on Grandview's uh, golf course, which is a bigger lot with a garage, and that's 929,000 dollars, and it's a pending sale
in the um, you know, not far from where we're at with uh, a significantly larger lot. So, I guess my only um, you know, concern is, you know, I would happily sell that right now for
the valuation that it was given, but it's just not uh, realistic even uh, you know, at any level. So, as we've talked to realtors, we're you know, we're we're probably getting ourselves priced out of the market ourselves for what we can afford. And at this point,
we would happily take the tax value, but at the end of the day, as we're talking to um, even realtors of where they would market it, it's a good 200,000 dollars less than what our assessed value is. And I've got, you know, beyond that, I do have pictures and stuff, but I think, you
know, if there's anything else you need from me, uh, happy to provide it. Gary and team, I guess I would have a question is how much how much did it go up from what it was last year? So, in 2025, we had a value of 1.1
million 2400 dollars on it. It actually reduced in value to 1,088,900. So, this is a property in Nisswa that got a reduction already. Yeah, and actually, I I I did call. I wasn't aware that, you know, you get
your property valuation in the fall. That's why I called, and I was late on that first That was the escalation, cuz I went from 890, I believe, in 20 whatever whatever it was, 2025. And that was the big jump and that's the one where and I I know what happened
behind us. Grandview built a very very nice development, very wooded area with, you know, big homes with uh you know, very treed and it's on the golf course and I know that bumped the value, but that's a very different
development than the development I'm in. We're builder grade windows, flat, you know, vinyl, they're Anderson Marvin windows. It's very different quality of home, let alone they have garages, they're larger lots, they're not in the rental pool, that type of thing where they can option in or out of the rental
pool. So, it's a very different look and feel in that development versus this little cove in Fairway Pines. Yep. Yeah, when you're, you know, if you're coming down Roy or Lower Roy? Lower Roy. >> Yeah, so it is the first one in okay.
>> Yeah, and then you kind of cut back in that little circle there. Yeah. So, your your big jump was really 24 to 25? Exactly and I, you know, mistake that I I called too late for this board process that I would have definitely challenged that, but I know I can't go
back, but it was it's like now I'm even though if it did go down slightly that jump and that valuation and where I'm even sitting today isn't realistic for where I could actually market the property. Um Councilmember Fairley, do you have any other questions?
I do have that property too that's also on the golf course if you want that. Okay. Councilmember London, do you have any Um I know you just walked in, Councilmember Hall. The property I referenced that's on a pending sale right now, which is a
four-bedroom three-bath on a uh you know, points 63 acre lot is 24 or 24197 Willow Circle in Nisqually. And it's a uh three-car garage, wooded, on the golf course, so same golf course
and it's now pending, so I don't know what the actual price is, but it was on the market for uh pretty good time and it's pending at 949. If I if I could, Mayor, while I'm either reviewing a little handout of the best comps that we could potentially find. We
did put one in there the last time in this development. Um Mr. Peltier is correct that it was 2023. Um since 2023, we believe that these have increased in value. Um this last
sale was for 895,000 um in January of '23 and if you just did a straight time adjustment, that would definitely put it north of a million dollars just on what the appreciation has done in the Nisqually market in you know, two and a half to to three
years. The um thing that I can agree with that um we've spoken to one other owner in this um in niche development Mhm. is um we were leaning heavier on the sale, the
newer buildings that if you scroll um upward or just pull it down a little >> property there. um that are on the uh fairways of the Pines that are the last development that Grandview has done. Um they do have garages, they are um higher quality
homes. I couldn't discern if there's any difference in the amenities that Grandview provides or doesn't provide. I still um couldn't get to the bottom of They are the same, you believe? Uh so, it does come down to
um we do have those um valued more now than we have these. Um but I think what um this gentleman's saying is the gap maybe needs to be a little bit wider. We're um continuing to look at that. There just
were no current sales. The sales we've given you are all Grandview area sales, but nothing with in in this little Now, what is there? Maybe 15 houses in there as well? >> Yeah, 15 20.
But the the one like in here on the second page um Brownie Way that one's in that other development, correct? The the higher test or the Yeah. like >> And what you'll see on those is, you know, we're in a about one, you know, we'll say one one here. A lot of these
other sales are a million and a half um and they do come with garage and they are most of them are a little bit larger properties as well. Um but we do think there is, you know, when you look at um in the rental pool of Grandview and the income that is being
generated, even though I know that these ones that are a million and a half, definitely not a million and a half property but we also think um I think you get 42 years or 42 days a year you can use it and then you got to have it in the rental pool. Um
so, we're also looking at, you know >> a six month where in the winter where it doesn't matter and then the I guess the prime six months that you have to be in a rental pool. Sure. Those properties to the north are a little more valuable in the sense because apparently they don't have that
same restriction, so they can be in the rental pool, so they can opt in by their choice, but they're not required to do the 42-day uh restriction on those properties and if you do you know, I get that no one's just going to take a field trip, but the look and feel of the
development is night and day versus this, right? This is and you know, I don't want to disparage my place. We're very proud of the place we built, but um you know, it was less than 500,000. It's, you know, But yours is in the Is yours in
the pool? Yeah, we have to be in the pool. That's a requirement. Yeah. I I guess some other question I have is um based on his development, his specific neighborhoods, so not not everything in the Grandview pool, do we have others that are on the list
today because I feel like there would should be consistency, right, within a neighborhood. You mean appealing here today? >> Yes. Um we potentially have a person that they didn't know if they were showing up or not, but I don't see them on the list
currently. Anybody I and I'm sorry, I don't know everybody in the but if you have a house in there, um is what the mayor's asking. I don't believe so. Okay. Just the one one tin soldier here. Yeah.
Um Councilmember Hall. I just know when the development was done it it sold out remarkably quick and so it is a pretty desirable
neighborhood thing to be a part of and buy and purchase and, you know, um for the business side of it, too, I think with being in the rental pool, it probably helps pay for itself significantly. Uh my only feedback on
that is within the Grandview properties, um it does okay rentals in the summer, um but uh it's not near enough property. Uh so, we basically go six months with very few if any rentals at all, so it
you know, the time you want to use it is when it does rent, but then that's the time you also kind of want to use it, so that, you know, compared to the properties that are in the rental pool that are actually on the main grounds, those rent significantly more. So, these have been, as you can see, the last
comparable sale was what? Eight something. 890 895. In 20 2023. Yes. So, that's three years three years ago, roughly. I mean, in general, my philosophy, and
everybody knows it, is I'm like I just don't like taxes, right? I don't like tax increases. I feel like it's just taking our money. Um this is a tough one because I feel like the I know you said you missed it, but your big jump was 24 to 25 and I feel like
Yeah, I think it was Yeah, that would have been a Right. a a good time to hear that discussion because that is a significant jump. I do hear what you're saying that this is a different type of development in terms of the type of home, perhaps the quality of home versus that other
neighborhood that Grandview's developing, right? I've I've driven in that and I can absolutely see that. And so, I think that that is a consideration, you know, when the county's doing valuations, but I also understand if there's only one sale, right, they have to do the best they can.
So, I know that's not really saying a whole lot, but I don't know if there's any appetite >> Some of the trade-off from this versus North Pines, you know, you guys do have the amenity, you know, with the community swimming pool right there that you can all walk to and and so,
even though there might be smaller lot sizes there's there's there's a couple more amenities to this one versus the north one within like walking distance just down your driveway. Yeah, I mean, at at the end of the day you know,
it's not you know, it still puts it in the realm of maybe, you know, not too far off of where the previous sales were. And again, I'm not you know, I'm here with God's honest truth. As I've talked to realtors about potentially marketing this property,
realtors that are actually EXO Realty that is part of the Grandview properties you know, I can give you the names, but they're they would list this property under 950 and the thought would be you would probably settle somewhere between
9 and 950 for a sale today. So, I you know, I'm not doing this on on a whim per se. It's just these people have the same vested interest to get as much as they could. Nobody in their office believes these are properties that should be valued over a million
dollars cuz they just don't see it in the marketplace. In fact, even on that north property, there is a home for sale right now that is continued to drop and it's now a million 25,000 and hasn't sold. That's in that north property. So, I'm
not, you know, and then like I said that other comp I talked to you about which is down here on that part of the golf course there is pending and that's $949,000 and that is a bigger property with on the golf course as well.
I >> On Aspen. I Well, that was that? >> Those are those like Yeah. 25-year-old property. Yeah, they it's Willow Circle 24197 Willow Circle. Okay.
Um, gentlemen, council members, there we have five options, right? One is no change, B is lower or two is lower, C three is raise, four is change the classification or five is have the assessor inspect the property and report to the local board.
Um, I don't know if there's appetite from any of the councilors here one way or another. Gary, I would have a question for you and your team as it relates to option five or E, have the assessor inspect the property and report to the local board within the 20-day
format just based on these different valuations from these different neighborhoods and it sounds like a pending sale. I don't know your department the way you do. Is Is that a value for the the homeowner here? So, the only time that I
would encourage you to even consider that is if we really believe we're physically our information is physically wrong on the property. I know that we're not. So, if you have us come back in 20 days just saying on this one, you're going to get
the same value from us for the opinion. >> Okay. Um, do any of my fellow council members have perspective one way or another here on on the other four options other than the one we just discussed with Mr. Griffin.
I would be for no change. I mean, there's some nuances from all those properties and I know them all fairly well. Um, I I would say that you know, it's going to be consistent with that
neighborhood over there. You know, it might go up or down a little bit, but like I say, I think the big jump was a couple years ago for you. You know. Which was fully based on that new development that came in which I can't stress the difference in quality
and building, windows, everything else. So, it's you know, we're very much getting punched because of that new development which is a very, very, very different look and feel than the development we're talking about. But like I said,
you know, the proof is in the pudding. I would gladly give it at, you know, you know, if if someone gave me a million dollars today, I'd sell it tomorrow. It's realistically, you know, the real estate realtors aren't valuing it at that right now. So.
Council member Fraley. I concur with Council member Hall. Council member London. Um, no change. Uh, I guess uh that's what I would thinking comparing other properties and so forth and that.
Stick with it. Okay, so we need to have a formal motion and a formal second. If council is is ready to take make a motion and and vote on a motion. Should you make motion?
I'd make a motion to have no change on parcel number 28150531. Second. Okay. Is there any additional discussion or questions from council? Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. I.
I'm going to actually vote no, but I'm in the minority and I knew I was. So, motion passes. Thank you for coming before the board. What is the next step? Yeah, so what'll happen is you'll have received a letter from us stating the no change here today and if
you um, still feel strongly about appealing further, you can get on the agenda for the June meeting with the county board. County Board of Commissioners or the County Board of Appeal is what that meeting is. Um, and have them consider a reduction as
well, sir. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, Gary, who do we have next? Mark Reardon. Mark Mark Reardon, you had signed up, but it doesn't look like he's here. So, I'm just going to keep going. Uh, Donna and Richard Gustufson. Hi.
I spoke to somebody here or maybe not here about this property before. We have a property on the channel Oh, could you speak into the microphone? Just because if anyone's watching too, then they won't be able to hear you if if it's on our YouTube video. Yeah, you might want to just pull it a
little. I'm so short. Oh. There you go. We have a property on the channel on Niswa. And we had it since what year, Dick? 2012. 2012. And
a lot Niswa. So, they're in the pink there. Good. That's yes. We got to go under the bridge. Yes, we have to go under a bridge. When we bought it, we knew that there was there wasn't this bridge that was there. It was a wooden bridge that was there
and that has been replaced since. But we knew where we were buying, but the channel was all already navigable. It's almost not navigable now where we are. If you see the Y right where some comes in from the right and then they go out to Niswa, those
people are okay. They have a depth of water that they can float their pontoon in and it isn't full of murk. When you go from that bridge our direction, there's only four houses that this really affects. Um, we just had to
take our pontoon in to get the motor repaired because it's so shallow and muddy. Very, very muddy. Now, when we bought the property um, mover, we had decent water then and I think we
paid in the 200,000s for it. From 21 until 26, the value's gone from 421 to this what what you want to propose is 772 for the value of that. I would love to sell it for 772,
but um, we know the market. Our We own this with our sons. They watch it constantly just cuz we would like to get on the water. We don't consider we're lake shore where we are because there's no way you could go down
and put your little tootsies in the water have your grandsons get something off the dock. If you go out toward Niswa cross under that bridge, it's entirely You know, I just don't we I don't know how we consider it lake shore.
You know, and I know that somebody one of you have been out there. Um, we get out there, but it's a struggle. It's a really a struggle What is the address? Uh, the address is Birch Birch Ridge? Birch Ridge? 4530
Birch Ridge Drive. Yeah. Birch Ridge. I don't believe your classification is wrong. Not at all as as far as um, I see. recreational property because that's what we do. We don't We don't live here. Um, I kind of wish we did
now that we retired. Did you come up here? Um, He's scared. >> What I handed you there this what these This is a Hm. It You know, I I've been through there and I'm I'm trying to relate it to like
think like all the folks over on Round, you know, they got to cross under 371. Similar. This is maybe a little narrower. Yeah, we are in a narrower order than And then when you get back in there, I haven't driven for a few years back in
here, but if you go back to the map, Trevor put Any difference between I know you have the bridge there. How about the folks on the other side? I know you don't connect here, but I'm assuming their channel is roughly about the same. Their channel if you before you go under the bridge at
the channel that goes to the right, that seems to have better water, but it I've been told that those people have put the irrig- not an irrigation system, but the one that keep water there. Aerators? Right. Um, but they also don't have I also would
not consider it lake shore. You know, if when you when we put a classification in as lake shore if I'm going to buy something, I would assume that I can go to the lake from my house or at least get there easily by boat.
Um but we can't do that easily. You you can struggle through it. We took the top off our pontoon because of that. You've got to put You have to wake board boat can't come in unless they take all of their uh apparatuses down. Our one son has a
wake board boat. I Our pontoon has about this much on each side of the bridge. We tolerate that. But they told us bridge was going to be same size. Same size as the It's wide and not as tall as the old
But being the stock that I was sometimes, that I went measured it. It is It's narrower. Almost if we can handle the narrower, it's just but 770 to 772,000 dollars
for our property, there hasn't been one sold out with a sequel, I don't think that there has been one sold in that price range. Were you saying that the bridge was rebuilt? It was It was replaced. for the people on that we call an
island. A peninsula. As you cross the bridge >> Oh, the but you you don't for where your property is, you don't drive across the bridge you're before the bridge, right? >> Yeah. Yes. But you have to go under the bridge from a boat perspective. Yeah, okay. Yeah. The bridge doesn't do anything for
us. At the time I thought, why why should we have to tolerate getting a new bridge? It doesn't do anything for us, but apparently what I heard at your meetings was they needed to reestablish that bridge because it wasn't safe for the fire trucks. It
wasn't I I recognize it. I can tell. Well, I I may but I'm I'm just trying to remember. I don't I What? So, if I may, um Yeah, Council member Hall's the deputy
fire chief. >> Well, okay. But he might have a perspective on that, but >> Well, a couple of things with that channel, you know, um yeah, it is tight. What, you know, I have a myself I have a fairly large pontoon. You can get in and
out of there like you say. You can get a wake board in and out boat in and out if you take the tower down. >> Oh, yeah, you have to take >> Yeah, so so um for about any boat to go between there, it is doable. I think probably
one of the biggest things that I've noticed with that channel, um maybe it um some residents have left over the years and it used to get a lot more traffic with the muck and the vegetation that you're seeing there. If you look at that
window and even look at some of the GIS mapping with the algae growth and stuff in there, it has increased, but that's because I'll say some residents in the neighborhood have probably decreased that would maybe um frequent that more with more
boat traffic if if that makes sense. That's probably just an observation that I've noticed people in and out and so it's maybe created um you know, some more muck more weeds, stuff like that in there. Yeah, I know
what they did with ours is they um the association went in and and Dredged it. through the DNR were able to go in and take the weeds out because of the same situation. Oh, that's >> Not much use as in building, but that's a long thing to do, so
>> Yeah, and that's what we're concerned with. I I agree with a lot of the things you said. There isn't as much But that's still that affects the value of it. You know, if I were looking for one today, I would be looking at that. >> There's a family with some younger kids that moved out of the community over
there a few years ago that would frequent that with their boats and their jet skis and I think they kept it open very well for everyone. And since honestly since they've left, it's a noticeable change and and and I think that's that's probably one of the main factors
from knowing that area. I guess I would ask I would ask a question cuz um you said from 2021 to 2026 Yeah. that your value went from 421,000 to 772. >> Yes. But what was the what what's the
jump here from 25 to 26? Sure. Well, it went from 684,900 to 772,400. So, the main reason uh for that is that Nisswa Lake went up 15 $1,500 a foot.
Uh so, that's a huge increase um for any lake, but um like Nisswa right now is at $7,500. So, if you look at the map, just uh filling a few gaps with um if you're over there where Trevor's cursor is and kind of swirl around on
the main lake, Mhm. you're going to be at $750,000 or $7,500 a foot if you own 100 foot. Go into the channel and under this bridge, you're at $3,000 a foot. So, we
take a huge reduction when you come off of the main lake. Um so, it's over 50 way over 50% that we take off recognizing it's not as desirable, absolutely. Um and the comparable that I um put in
front of you is it's in it's not in this channel. It's basically in the channel between Roy and um Lake Nisswa. Okay. And it's kind of like right in the middle on the north um Trevor. Um you want the personal number?
Uh 28100 679. So, it's it's literally just right across from if you went right across that big swamp, Mhm. it would be on the north side of the channel between Roy
and Nisswa. Okay. That property sold, you know, 7 and a quarter. They're at 772 with a 1995 2,100 square foot house. That one was built in '79 on a slab. Um
and while I would say it's a better location cuz it's right there, of course you got the you're dealing with the boat traffic in front of you, good, bad, or ugly. But um they have a larger home, newer home. Um but we do take the discount for
the location of where their access Yeah, at least that channel between Roy and Nisswa cuz that's what we It's navigable. >> It's quite navigable. It would um you can have guests up to your house and they can they can still go in the water. You
know, we can see the bottom there. The You can't we I My our fear is is that 772, I mean we're we're not spring chickens, so we're not going to be able to live there forever. It's owned by our sons also that we want them to be able to have
lake shore. And I I just wish there was another classification between lake shore and residential without water. Cuz who isn't up there for the to be able to get out on the water? It's beautiful. Who We all want to. Our son with the
uh wake board boat had to he actually um anchored it out on Nisswa Lake because he didn't want to take it out, put it out, take it out, put it out, take it out, put it out just to come to his own property. You know, it's cuz he owns a portion of it also. You know, it and it's
doesn't make us happy. We wish it were different. And and then with the taxes uh when the values come out at that, it's like I wish I wish we could sell it to somebody for that. And I haven't seen any in in that
situation where the value is comparable because there haven't It's kind of a unique area to have that kind of an evaluation and then right up here not far. They can go right out to the lake and
just jump in and enjoy it and they don't have to take their boat for repairs and the grandkids come in all It's almost like it it it there's two different issues that are connected. I right? Like the the channel being shallow, you know, that's like almost one issue, but I understand what you're
saying right? Then the property value is a second issue. Um Yes, to have that >> Right, they're two right? And this is really about the property value. I hear what you're saying about the channel and the frustration. Right. My family has a lake home on Round Lake and
um our association, you know, you know, they used when that getting through the gut lake was so shallow, like I remember when I was a little girl growing up, we'd have to do the same thing. My dad would have to take the pontoon thing down. We'd have to all the adults would get out and us little kids would watch and they'd have to push the boat through. Yeah.
>> Um and now the association like dredges that channel if it gets too shallow, so that's almost like a separate issue. But the valuation, I I just want to make sure I heard you correctly. You said So, for the people on Lake Nisswa Lake proper, it's $750
per foot of linear foot of lake front and then in the channel it's 300 or 70 Did I hear it wrong? So, or Yeah, the first one is 7,500. 7,500. >> Yep, and then 3,000 in where she's at.
Okay. Is that true in all any channel? I mean, there's so many channels around. >> That is a difference. Yeah, it it's a huge difference in price. I mean, yeah, that $4,500 a foot, you know, you 400 you know, half million dollar
difference, but a half million dollar difference to access that and put your uh put your tower down to have the same access on your boat. It's kind of like you know, that's that's really what we're talking about the trade-off.
Right. >> when it when it comes to that, it's still your shoreline might be more weedy just as others are, but it's still accessible to the entire Gull Lake chain. You know, if Well, it's not
accessible because there are to us, sometimes it's it's not. Right. So, once again, kind of two separate things, you know, so like getting the channel clear and stuff, you know, um
um I would recommend you know, you there's different people in the area you could reach out to that would really help that for you that specialize in that, you know. Um and and that would be one thing that you guys might enjoy or enhance your
property by fixing that. But as far as like a cost evaluation, it's $4,500 cheaper in there, which you know, I think is a pretty significant drop. It's more than 50%
How many how many other homes are actually on the channel is it four? I can't it's hard for me to tell from this map. Four or Oh, seven. On the side that is that like would act what that would
>> Yeah, without the Yep. Yeah. There are actually four of us that really have this Okay. >> problem of shallow water and not getting through. >> [clears throat] >> The other and
you hear a lot of things. Our son in fact started looking into the possibility of having somebody dredge the channel. Yep. I'll tell you, politics are hard. You know, you have to he would have to go through so much and he works and he travels, so
it stopped because he had to contact neighbors. The people that live on the channel that comes like this aren't really concerned. >> No. Cuz they don't have the problem. This one? Point to it.
The wide that comes down, do you know? Yeah. Yep. Yeah, there's one on the right side of us, the Fasseys, that might have that problem also. >> They have they have the problem. Yeah. Right.
So, does either the county or the city have any lists or resources of people for them that they could that they could get or is that just a I don't have anything with, but if you're going to do any dredging, you'll want to talk to the area hydrologist at the DNR. Name's Jake
Free. I would start with him. I didn't bring my pencil. Jake Freed? Yeah, and what we can do is if I get if we have your email, we'll email that to you, his contact. >> Oh, good. Yeah. Good. That sounds good. Yeah, and that's, you know, the concern
isn't so much that we live on a channel. We knew we were buying a house on the sale, but that it's able to be used and then and we know lakeshore is expensive. We are aware of that. But we want to be
able to use it as lakeshore and we just don't feel we can and then to get put a value on our property of 772 $72,000 is like, whoa, man. And And I missed what was
that increase over last year? What what what how much did it go up? The Yeah, it went up $1,500 a foot. But the No, on their on their pole. Sorry. Yeah. 684 6849. I thought that's what Gary
said. Yeah. But from 2020 Approximately a 12% annual increase roughly because I mean I'm we're So, yeah, so it was a 12% increase annual. >> Is that a 100-ft wide lot there then? 115 ft
>> 115? It says the land value you're valuing at 365, this coming one. Yep, take off the 30,000 for your well, septic, and electric, so that puts you at 330 on your land value. Yeah. And the and the structure we really
haven't done anything to other way other than paint and take a deck off. Yeah, it's the lake access, right? I said I think it's like the lake access, right? Yeah, it's about the lake access with combined with that value,
it's just you know, if we had to sell, not that we'd have to sell, but we would not come near that. I wouldn't buy it for that. And we've we continue to look cuz we would rather be on a lakeshore. Everybody would, but
that has been fine for us. Our grandkids have grown up there. Now all of a sudden it's like almost too expensive for us. You're You're in the restroom. Do you have any questions or about this
property? Not really, no. I I I can't compare my situation with their situation. But no, no, I have no more questions. Okay. Um Council member London? I don't have any questions. All of these situations are different with the lake property, you know, and the vegetation and of course the lake level
can depend on the how much moisture you're getting and stuff like that and lakes go up and down. Every lake's a little bit different, you know. And um I think it's a good idea like you said to contact the DNR, talk to them and see if there's something they can do to help you to get that thing more open so you
can get your What do you drive? A pontoon? Yeah, we drive a pontoon and our son We own a wakeboard boat. Yeah, it could be tough in later on the summer. It just gets worse, you know, it doesn't get any better. So, you know, month of August is pretty tough, you know, so contact the DNR. I mean, there's maybe
open it up a little bit for you and help you out a little bit, you know. Yeah. Some places they dredge, some places they cut weeds. I don't know. Every situation a little bit different, but hopefully, you know, if you do some research, maybe you can get some help. I'd like to see that for you. That would be
really wonderful Yes. if we got that. You can get out there and enjoy I feel like lake >> Enjoy your pontoon. Pardon? You can get out there and enjoy your pontoon. Yeah. Yeah. We have to hand turn it around when we get up to our dock, which is not wide the channel,
because otherwise to get out of it we have to back up it right extra motor you just a drain chocolate milk. You know, it just seems like in years past you're getting more and more vegetation in some of these channels, too. And places like so the weeds and stuff
like that. I mean Mr. and Mrs. Mrs. Gustafson, what what what what what is your specific ask or do you have a specific ask um today here? To lower the value. >> [laughter] >> Okay.
Because as it is and it's this year and we know taxes go up every year, you know, and not taxes, values go up every year because we Have you have you come before cuz you did mention right at the beginning that the increase from 2021 to 2026 was
roughly 400 the valuation of 421,000 to now like 772 or 774. Have you come before the board in in those years at all when those increases were going on to No. >> ask for consideration? No, because to be
very honest, it went up a lot between '21 and '22 and then it lowered and then it lowered a little. And we're happy with that. >> Oh, it lowered in '22 and then '23? '23 it went up a little bit in '23 and >> Maybe Gary can yeah.
You got it? Yeah, yeah. >> '20 '22 was 600 649,000 went to 669. It did lower to 606, 684, and 772. So, I think of those values pretty much going up. Taxes in '22 was $5,738
5738. Today they're at 5412. Um with a 7 684 values, so their their taxes have went down over $300. But their values it continually goes up. Oh, so the the property taxes
are have actually gone down $300. >> Well, from four years ago. They're up from last year, but you know, in '22 they're 5700 bucks. '22, what are what are they now? 5412. For 2026? For 2026. So,
So, the tax base went down, but the value went up. Yep. So, I mean I would complain about the taxes, but you nobody keeps property forever as the kids grow and leave. I I just don't think it's
fair um because of our lack of access to the good water to water uh to have that value if we did have to sell or if we did want to sell. But if your if if the property taxes
that you owe, even though the valuation went up, are down 300 Oh, yeah. Right? Isn't that like that's better because your amount that you owe to the government, right? Is less. It It might be, but we we moved around a
little bit, and it doesn't always work exactly in your favor just to have your taxes go down because who's going to build the school and who's going to repair that and and the next year with the evaluation high your taxes will reflect that. Well, not I mean
one pretty good investment when your number you're >> when they're going down. And I I will say too Yeah. This council worked really really hard together collaboratively to make sure that we delivered a We actually delivered a negative tax levy for the city of Nisswa. Now, other
things do impact your property taxes, right? Like you have the school board, you've got the county as well, but I know we're going to work just as hard as we did last year to We may not be able to deliver a negative for '27, but I know we're going to work just as hard to try to be a flat to cost of living for next year, too.
So, I I believe that. >> Yeah, no, and I >> a good job with that. >> And and because we want We don't want people to feel like, "Hey, we're being priced out of our homes, you know, we've had this in our family for, you know, decades, and we want to keep it and pass it down, and I mean, we don't
want people to have to be priced out, right? For that reason. Um I just don't know based on the numbers and what we're hearing, and I I hear your plight about that channel. It sounds like that's like a separate issue, but if your actual tax burden has decreased
it even though the valuation has gone up, I'm not sure that's a bad thing for you right now because your taxes are down, not up. Even with the increase in valuation unless I'm misunderstanding what the county just shared. You're correct.
So, I No, we just want my taxes to go Right. So, I Yeah. So, I don't I think your issue honestly right now might be more with that with the solving the channel issue to have
an easier path for your son and for everyone to enjoy the lake and whatnot. It's still not It's still is classified as lakeshore. It's not lakeshore. >> So, you're you're asking to consider a reclassification? I don't think there is one. That can't
>> I don't think Yeah, I don't think there is a like Gary talked I don't think No, for this this type of property you you basically got three residential homestead. Do you live there? No. >> No. No. Um does anybody live there? Not
permanently, no. So, you can't be res non-homestead, and so that leaves you with seasonal recreational residential. >> Right. Okay. Yep, that's that's the class >> And that's what it's classified as. Yep. Got it. >> That is what it >> You don't farm out there. No. Wait. >> Some days we do.
>> [laughter] >> Well, we do farm the channel. We do drag We try. I'm not sure we're successful, though. No. So, I guess does are there any um any last things you'd like to add before I
go to council for a motion? Um No, I just want it to be fair and and people all people to enjoy the property. Do you have anything, Dick? No. I do I do believe knowing some
information about that channel that there would be several different options maybe for you to to make that easier and nicer for you. And in years past it has been a lot more open than it currently is. So, it just
I I do believe that there's some path forward you know? I hope so within our lifetime. >> [laughter] >> Um well, I would entertain a motion from council. I would make a motion that we would
leave as is for parcel ID 28110695. Do we have a second? Second. So, we have a motion from council member Hall and a second from council member London. Any additional discussion from council? All those in favor signify by saying I.
I. Opposed? Okay, motion carries. Thank you for being here, and thank you for sharing your perspective and But I think as as the county said, they can Yeah, if they have your email, they can send you the information and >> Yeah, we'll follow up with the hydrologist, and you'll get a letter from us on their action today. And if
you still would like to come and appeal to the county board, just need to get on the agenda. We can sign you up for that if you'd like, ma'am. Thank you. >> And that might depend on whether or not we feel we have something to move forward on with the information that we receive.
Strike. I hope you understand what we're doing. We've moved around a bit, and we know the ups and the downs. >> Absolutely. It just kind of is that We have a family reunion there once in a while, and the people come and go, "Oh, you live on the lake? Uh really?" >> [laughter]
>> Yes. So, I appreciate your time. >> Well, thank you for taking the time as well. We appreciate you guys for being here. >> Thank you. Okay. Uh Mark Reardon. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. This is all new to me, so quite an education.
Uh however, I'm here simply because my taxes seem to increase uh exponentially with one exception because of pro a building that was added. But uh there seems to be a double-digit trend
that's occurring. And it just concerns me. I don't know where it's going from here. I'm not sure why it's increasing so quickly. So, you know, I saw a 16% increase in the '23 '24 year.
52% increase in the '24 to '25. Did you say 52? Uh my math was 52%. Yeah. Went from $953 to $1,453. And then uh '25 to '26, which wasn't
unexpected, it did increase 117%. And that was because of a three-car garage with some living space above it that was added. And now proposed is another 17% increase, I think, is what my calculation was.
Which all of that just seems a little excessive to me with the exception of the increase because of the additional building. Can we What's the property location? Yeah, it is on East Cullen Road.
Do you want the parcel number? It's 28010501. Correct. >> say that one more time? >> say that again? 26310 East Cullen Road. 26310. That's a 10-acre parcel without um
new house garage, I would say, right? Correct. Correct. And it's uh the parcel on that one. Yep. 28010501. 28010501. Yep. Thanks. I could show some photos here quick of the building that's on the 10 acres
there. Did you say 10 acres? Yep, 10 acres. I think I know where that one is. And I believe the structure was built 2 years ago? Uh yeah, actually, yes. Completed 2 years ago this summer. So, in '24?
'24, new structure. Yep. Is there another Is that the home home and the garage? Like it's all Sorry, that >> living space above the garage, that's correct. So, that was not there before 2024? >> That is correct. So, can you go back to that last picture?
To the left of that picture. Uh >> It isn't Is there still another building back in there? That's a lean-to and barn cover. Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah, I remember there being another building on that property there. So, yeah. Maximize that. Is that still there? I believe it is. Yes, that is still
there. A little cabin. Two There's a bunkhouse. That's >> Yeah, and then Those were original. All of the other three buildings, they're all original with the property when we purchased it. >> Right. Oh, there's three other buildings. >> was finished The home was built in 2024,
did you say? Uh the latest addition. Correct that building. And then there's that lean-to, and then out in front of the lean-to is like maybe a little garden or trail area. Uh Off to the >> building there? Yeah.
>> The barn? Yeah, there you go. Uh yeah, there's Yeah. >> Yeah, just open space. That's what I thought. Yeah, there's no additional buildings there. Well, I got a temporary carport out there at the moment, but you know. So, did So, the valuation went up because of the new
Uh yeah, I Sorry, I have to speak into this. Um For the 2025 assessment, he's seen a significant increase in value because of the new build. Uh this year it went up again, um,
in Niswa again, it ties back to the 40 sales. We increased land and we increased building values. Um, and it went from the 44 444,900 to 513,800. Um, so this has had increases in
property value for for different reasons. It does come down to, you know, you could say a new home, two additional cabins, I don't know how much the wood shed, I'm not trying to make it that Sure. >> it's bad, but it's it's not that
desirable. And then 10 acres of nice wooded property in in Niswa for 513, um, that's what, you know, can you can you get the over half a million for that? So, the increase is
the valuation, not not necessarily from like for this year from This one, the majority reason why his taxes went up so much is that the new constructor, his new house, finally paying on the full value of the of the whole house. And that generally trails a year to a
year and a half behind. Yeah, so it's just it's just catching up. Yeah. Okay. >> [laughter] >> So, my taxes both expected and unexpectedly increased.
And then they're going to continue to increase because of the land value. Is that what you're saying? It's primarily the land value? >> Uh, this year, yeah, your land went from 138 to 179. Okay. And the increase projected, which is
what, 13, 17%? I don't recall at the moment, but We have that up. >> what's being proposed 15 and a half percent. Yeah. Okay, 15 and a half percent. And that's based on Sir,
>> 40 sales. Is that what you said? Yep. 40 comparable sales within the city of Niswa? 40 sales in the city of Niswa. Okay, that were 10 acres and had comparable buildings? Nope.
40 sales in the city of Niswa. So, all of them, they're all going to be different sizes, they're all going to have different buildings on them. Okay. Um, but, you know, we would take strictly value then. Well, value, but we would >> dollar amount. >> Yeah. And, you know, when we get into
like half a million dollar sale, we'd look and say, I haven't looked, but I will tell you three acres and a similar home is probably a half a million
um, in the city of Niswa. Right. A new a newer home. I mean, you can get comparable size, probably mid-80s to early 90s with limited remodel on three, four acres for a half a million. Okay, good. >> Or 400,000, somewhere in there.
>> the clarification. It's strictly on the value that's assessed. It has nothing to do with the buildings or anything else. I am particular. Yeah, yeah. So, if you're a realtor, you'd be pushing all the, you know, fine trim and the views and things like
that. Whereas right now, that's kind of built in to the assessment. Yeah, not so much the views, but quality of your your structures definitely are built in. We wouldn't compare you to Alice Pagano, a McMansion on on Cullen
or something in the neighborhood. We wouldn't do that. They'd have more value in their building, but what they have, and of course that's lake shores, so that's a little bit different, but you with the with the 10 acres versus, let's say, a two acre, still could be a comparable property. It's just that you would have more
expensive land value because you'd have, obviously, more acres, more privacy, more utility. It's yours would be I I wouldn't say a total little bit challenging cuz you have the home and two ca additional cabins and the land.
>> Technically one. You know, but livable. You know, you know, so it's like you got a lot there to offer at a half a million. Hm. I see. I see. Okay. All right. Well, I'm not sure where to go from here, to be honest with you. Um,
I'm not particularly pleased, but you know, I'll have to wrap my head around how somebody on Wolf Chase can get a half a million dollars for a much nicer home on a slightly smaller lot versus the 10 acres and
uh, you know, what is on my property. So, all right, well, I won't uh occupy any more of your time. I appreciate it. Uh, Sorry, the voters still got to make a decision and I'm just here giving
information, sir. Sorry. I think you may be missing that when I started. Uh, no, I uh, my expectations were low, to be honest with you. I mean, if if I'm wrong, tell me otherwise, but I think that the taxes, you know, the
increase and the rapidity of it, given where the property started when I began living there, and the increases and the potential increases that are I'm looking at being that are being levied now seem a little excessive. And
market comps based on value, I think somehow doesn't um, seems like it's missing something, to be honest with you. I don't I'm not interested in selling my property, nor am I interested in
splitting it. You know, we believe we are in a area that was designed to be the rural within city limits. >> Mhm. Um, but, you know, economically, I could see why somebody would want to
split the property. Both to reduce your taxes, which is a minimal benefit, but also the uh you know, the income that if you split my property into two pieces and sell one for five acres for what did you say that
was assessed at 173? So, 80 plus thousand dollars, uh, just seems like uh you know, does seem like money in the bank if only I wanted to do that. But, you know, if I have to sell, that
might be somebody else's, you know, task to take on, but uh nevertheless, that's I suppose at the moment, that's all I've got to say about it. Um, if I one thing I would encourage you to look at,
it gets a little more complex with yours, but it it should be it's it's pretty straightforward, but um, I would encourage you to look at the property tax refund program. The new construction isn't going to be eligible for any refunded um, tax amount, but you know, when your taxes go
up, um, there's two ways to qualify, or they can go down, I guess I shouldn't say it like that. One is income based, so there's a chart from the Department of Revenue is how much income did I make and what are my taxes, you'll see if you qualify. The other way is if your taxes
go up a hundred dollars, which they have, but there's some new construction component to this, and 12%, that's the special refund that you potentially could get some um, refund from the state to help with um, some of the spike in taxes, but I would encourage you to look
just check those out to see if you might qualify. >> And that is the state? Yeah, through um, and if you'd like, we can send I don't think we I don't know why we never bring this stuff with us, we should. Um, if you'd like, we can email that to you if you'd like, the links to the Department
of Revenue website. It's okay. Um, again, I you know, every avenue I investigated so far was either deferred taxes or we didn't qualify for. Okay. So, you know, we're we're retired, so definitely
on a fixed income. Um, To what is that even, the tax rebate through the state? Yeah, you might qualify. >> Property tax rebate, it's it's worth a try to look at. My wife and I didn't think we were within the parameters and and we made it somehow because our taxes have been
going up, valuations have been going up. Um, Well, that's good. That's good to know. But that's one to look at. I mean, there have been some changes, but uh, we looked at that this year and it was it was it was a good help. Great, thank you. I appreciate the suggestion.
Um, what else? Anything else? Any other uh, possibilities to pursue? I think you hit on the deferment. Um, there's a senior citizens deferral if you're over 65 and you make less than, I believe, 90,000 95,000 dollars in income, you can defer your taxes. That
just puts it off somewhere else. That's correct. That's correct. Okay. Um, does any council members have questions for Mr. Reardon on on his property and No, I don't.
>> Nothing? No questions. >> No questions? Okay. Um we would need to entertain a motion. I'll make a motion no change on parcel 28010501. Second it.
Okay, so we have a motion from council member Fraley and a second from council member London. Any additional questions or discussion for Mr. Reardon from council? Okay, um then I will call the question. All those in favor signify by saying I.
>> I. Opposed? Okay, motion carries. And Mr. Reardon, I just wanted to share something with you. Last year we actually had Gary and some folks from his team right there with Crowing County with the land services. Um they came and did actually we did a
property tax informational session last June to to some of these programs that Gary just talked about and to help people understand their tax bill, right? Cuz I completely hear what you're saying. You're like you're getting a property tax bill that's just going up and up and up every year, right? Um of
going into the details on that because right what feeds into property taxes is the city, the county, and then the school board. And I said this to the couple of Augustussons before you. This council tried to do our part for this tax year and we worked really hard and
we did deliver a negative property tax levy to the homeowners in Niswonger for 2026 and we're going to work hard to deliver hopefully, you know, a cost of living increase max or something like that for 2027. But there's other factors into
play, too, right? County taxes, school board, and then valuation, but it it was a very successful session last year and if the county has the ability and time I I think those of us here at city hall would love to bring that back again this year for those that weren't able to make
it because I think the folks that did come found a lot of value in it. Um and we do appreciate you coming here as well and and sharing your perspective and bringing this before us. Great. Well, I appreciate your time. Thank you. Yeah, absolutely. I think this year she I think she might have
said something about they might even have donuts here this time. Yeah. Thank you. Bernard and Linda Roberts. This parcel ID is 28 360584. And unless I'm in trouble, you can call me Bernie instead of Bernard.
Very simple. That's a tip-off. So I want to apologize in advance because this is a nothingness. It's a small little thing. So I apologize for the people who are waiting, too. Um this lot we bought from the county
about a year ago and it's uh it the county had bought the property for a water retention for the um new road around Round Lake. So it's on the north side of Nashway. Um
we bought it I'll go ahead. You look like you have a question. No, you said the north side. You said the north side of uh Nashway. Yes. So it's not on Round Lake. So it's not on Round Lake. No, it's No, no, it's on the other Yeah, I know We're not on Round Lake. Right. You You've got
property right across from you. It's where they put the water. Yeah, yeah, where the pond is. Yeah, it's where the water retention pond is. It's on the south southwest corner of Bass Lake. >> Okay. And so um
it was my understanding it was a kind of a unintended consequence of the project because the county owning that property for the water retention Go ahead. >> Were you here last year? I was not, but the county was here. There was some There was a gentleman who
owned I remember. It was It was next to it. It was a property next to it. >> on this side, wasn't it? >> Yeah, he came last year. Yeah, it's next to it. So so my sense is the county said that it was a kind of unintended consequence that it
became kind of a public access to that small Bass Lake. So um we approached I have the property immediately to the right on that picture. Uh we have my wife and I. Are you both But I
approached the county and said I would be because the neighbors on that lake, which we're not on the lake, um were all complaining because of all the people that were coming onto the lake through that public county land. Um so I
approached them and said we would have interest in buying it which we did and the county set the price at $3,000 when we purchased, but it has a pretty significant um easement agreement because everything
really has to stay the same as far as the water retention. We understand that. Um and so that's why we're willing to purchase the property in the first place. Um I'm not certain with the increase going from $3,000 to $12,300.
Again, this is like nothing in tax dollars and I understand that. I'm just anal and want to make sure we have it as right as it can be. So I'm not certain if the valuation went up because it showed on this statement
going from exempt to residential homestead, but it's not a buildable lot. It's not homesteaded. So I don't know if it's a classification that caused the valuation to go from 3,000 to 12,300 or if it's just an increase deemed as
the proper increase in value. It doesn't seem like anything has changed from a year ago till now. So I'm just kind of questioning the valuation and or the classification. I don't know which it is.
You must be just taking care of it too well, making it look too nice. >> Say it Say it again. You must be taking it care of it too well, making it look too nice. >> Well, I I do tend to make things in the park, so. >> [laughter] >> Well, I'll let Gary turn it over to Gary for that. If I can start with this, a
couple of questions, um Bernie, if that's okay. >> Yeah. Um do you use that in any way for yourself to access the water? I do not. We have what it the easement agreement I learned a word riparian
access. So we could have access to to that lake on that property, but only us. It It allows for no public access. So we can't let other people go through that lot. And I I remember when um
our county engineer and our city at our city county attorney wrote the um easement on this and they asked, you know, what would the value be? I It virtually is um probably worth maybe a little more
than 3,000, but I don't know that it'd be worth a lot more. Um frankly, um the storm water easement pretty much covers almost the whole property. Um so I don't think it leaves a lot of value. What happened here was that we didn't
have any It was an exempt. So we didn't have really any acreage. Somebody put some acres in. That's the the system generated the number. And like I can tell you I don't believe it's worth 12,000. Is it three? Is it 5,000? Maybe that's maybe maximum, but I don't think it's
12,000. So we can bring the value down on this one. >> See, I would I would think bring it down back down to what it was at the at the purchase or slightly higher and then um have the county possibly, if you guys could reassess that. We'll take care of
it from here here forward. Do we need to make a motion, Gary? >> Oh, yeah. Yeah, you make a value change here. So are we motion motioning E to have the assessor inspect the property and report to the local board or are we uh motioning B just to lower the value? I would recommend you guys go with B and
pick a number. Okay. Um I would entertain a motion from council then. I'll make a motion that we lower the value down to what the purchase price was of $3,000 and have it stay there. Okay, do we have a second? What was the What was the parcel number? For 2026
against the biggest payment. It's 283 60584. Okay, Maggie. >> Maggie. Did you get the parcel number? All right. So we've got the motion from council
>> I second. And the second from council member Fraley. Um any additional discussion or questions from council? All right, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed? Okay, motion carries. Thank
you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Uh Nancy Thomas uh Loper. Luper? Loper? Loper, I got it right. Okay. >> [laughter] >> This is parcel number 2824 0592.
And what's the address? 6405 County Road 13. Okay, go ahead, Ms. Wilfert. Um our lake property is divided into two portions. We have two parcels. This parcel goes from County Road 13
into what is or was the old ice road or logging road. It is a non-buildable piece of property. It's a dirt road for one car only and if there were two cars going opposite directions, someone
would have to back up. Is that the one that's barely 75 I don't even think it's 75 ft wide, is it? No, we can't do anything >> I'm just trying to think of that one. I think it I think it Yeah, it's Do you know the width on that the layout of that property?
Approximately? What's It's 75 What is the address on it? 60 405 County Road 13. So there's no It's just a >> It's just a It's just a path >> road. Occasionally when my husband was
alive, he would go out and mow down the weeds in the middle of it. Nothing else. >> And my question to you is similar to the gentleman who just left. Um Taxes in 20 for 2026 were 263.
Coming up, it'll be 396. Nothing has happened to this road since Well, my parents bought it in 1988 and I think even previously it was no different than it is now because it can't be any different than what it is. It can't go
anywhere. We can't build anything on it. Do you have an adjoining property to this? It does not adjoin. This is >> No, no, do do do you have any adjoining property to it or is this the one that goes straight back? >> This goes from the road from 13 the ice road and that's it.
>> Okay, yep, yep, yep, it's the one I know. And sorry, what did you say your the What did you say the val- the value or the taxes were in 2025 versus 26? Well, here we have uh 263 and then 396. >> Those are the values. Those are the
values. Last year's taxes were $236. This year it's $180. So once again, the taxes went down. Correct. >> And the value went up. $56. Do we know the reason the value went up though if it's like a non-buildable >> Well,
So for taxes payable in 2026, the value did go from 32,200 to 26,300. So there was a value reduction, which helped assist of tax reduction. And now went from 263 to 396 with the increase
in land value that we had base you know, throughout the city. How is the land value for this one-car road? How do How do you calculate that it increased in value that much? It's good
to We can't use it. No one else can use it. It's a non-buildable property. Uh Have you been denied a um building permit from the city? Have I been denied? Yeah. How How do you know it's unbuildable? Just Just asking. I'm not saying
anything. >> question. Because if the road is 75 ft wide You That's the one >> own a not I mean, if the property is 75 ft wide, I don't know how much space you need for a car or a truck to get down the road, but there isn't enough space
to build on either side. Um How do I There's like if you go over to Grandview there's probably 250-ft lots that have a lot of houses built on them in this city. Now this is 75 ft
wide. I'm not saying that you could build the Taj Mahal by any means but um I What's the side yard setback in the city currently? 20 ft? >> Well, it depends. 10 ft. 10 ft side yard setback? Yep. So I mean, you can still
get a 50 by This is long. You can put a 50 ft >> Wait, if we >> wanted to put a pole shed or something up. If we wanted to move the road. I mean, there isn't a sufficient amount on either side of that to move anything. So So you're saying you the road the drive You have a driveway through here? Yep. Yeah. >> Straight through it. Yeah.
And so if we look at the map, I'll try to explain the best I can. So she has a lot that has two legal She has two part properties. They just are legally described differently. Her other parcel is right there. Um so they right on the corner would
kind of um almost touch, but there must be a little sliver. Some of those old mapping is is fascinating. But if you would look at this and and if you add that up, she has about about an
acre, little over acre and a half. So if you go down here where these folks have like 1.85 acres, 2 and 1/2 acres, 2 acres here or her neighbors that own on the lake but then have these legally described back lots
um we look at these that um basically it is an enhancement or additional value with the lakeshore. We think the highest and best use in these situations are you sell them together. You don't say, "Well,
um I'm going to split like this 2 and 1/2 acre piece over here and then have this chunk that might be worth less money because it's not attached to the lakeshore." But I do think uh for an acre of ground, is it all high ground? It looks like
it's all wooded, pretty decent. >> wooded in. Um I the the value of less than 40,000 is is I believe there. We see these um that are close to a lake where folks
are like, "Hey, if I have any room to build the toy shed, right?" So for whether it's a pole shed or garage or what have you, they seem to sell at a significant amount. But who would buy it? I I'm I'm I believe you'd be really
surprised at how many people would probably line up to buy it. Do you have to drive Do you have to drive through that to get to your Yes. Oh, okay. So that's what you're saying that is your driveway. >> That's the driveway. Yep. Okay. So it does So as I So it does abut to
your property that's on the lake. It crosses the lot. It crosses the >> Right. Yeah, I I know where that property is. I just Yeah. What are you Sorry, you keep You said the ice road? Back >> Yeah, that's the old That's the old ice road from
>> Back in the 1920s, there was a How shall I describe this? There was a road that bisected the properties so that it divided the properties from the road to the ice road and from the ice road to the lake. Okay. So it's kind of
parallel to County Road 13. So we drive from the lake to How do I describe this to you? To the ice road and then we cross over the ice road and then take our driveway back to our cabin. Okay. And you had You were going to say something?
Well, I was just going to say I mean, yes, so in theory you could build on it, but then we couldn't access the house. Have to go by helicopter. No. But that's where like with the zoning and stuff. So you might have to move your
driveway but you can run your driveway up to the property line. So you'd have your driveway go alongside of a building on there and you could still put like Gary said, you could still put a structure on there. Didn't you just say it was a 10-ft setback on each side of the
property? For a structure. Not >> Not for a driveway. A driveway is not considered a structure. No, a driveway you can go you can go closer to the property line and for something like this with that size lot, no matter what you did, it would be a variance.
But throughout the city like Gary said there's probably I'll say hundreds of properties that have similar things. This is not an uncommon situation
throughout not only Nisswa but throughout the county or different places that have something like this. And with that back lot like said that that extra additional building, that extra structure that you could have there is a pretty desirable
thing. And so sometimes um you know without without maybe asking the planning and zoning the questions, you know, it's just you know, maybe assumed that I hey, I can never do anything with this, but
I I think it would be fairly desirable for a lot of people and a and a pretty big um win or uh investment to have the two of them tied together like you said. So you're saying
that there's a 50% increase in the value of the property because of what could be done, not because of any current status, not that anything has changed about what it is. I If I can, I'm I'm I'm saying that
if you were to sell the property as of January 2nd you would have sold that piece for at least $40,000. That's what I'm saying. It's under what the current market is for smaller tracts of ground and especially
if they're you know, within you know, a few hundred feet of a lake that's like coveted for folks that can't build on their main parcel cuz maybe it's so narrow or shallow and they can't get the garage on there.
We see this all the time where um these types of property sell and then they they um do build the shed. I and I I I do believe that it's I'm not you know, a planning and zoning
person up here in the city of Nisswa. All I just know my experience. A lot of these types of properties have buildings on them throughout the city is is all I'm saying. What you're saying is this is a a legitimate value for what
could be but not for what is. It's if you wanted to sell it. Well, if we wanted if you were to build on it. We don't want to build on it. We don't want to sell it. So, how does it go up from 50% in value with no change? So,
and [clears throat] I I understand that it's a big increase this year. But it was valued at 322 in 2024. So, it's really only up it's really only up 7,5400 over 3 years, right? [snorts] Sounds
like a shopping mentality to me. >> [laughter] >> I'm just just trying to I guess help understand that yep. But you had $190 in 23, 236 and now it's at 180. So, it's still cheaper than the
last 2 years. We've had this property since 1988 and we watched it incrementally go up even though the property hasn't changed at all. I mean at all. It's still >> Just been your driveway. Just been your driveway. Sure.
Well, I hope you know somebody who would like to buy. Maybe you could get them in touch with me. You know, I mean the other way to look at it too is like when you drive around like say Hubert or you know, you get over where the old Depot is you know on 13. Some of those houses are so or
those lots are so narrow and the houses are right on the road. What a nice setting where you have all this space between you and the main thoroughfare. So, the road noise and stuff is so buffered, you know, it makes a nice little sanctuary for you guys. But that has real value even if it is just a
driveway lot for you guys. I'm not trying to sell it. I'm just >> Oh, and it has been and it has been since the late 1920s. That was the original. That's the original road. Wow, that's amazing. All right. Well,
I'm going to see if Council has any I don't know where Mark went. Do you have any questions Council member London? Council member Hall, do you have any questions? >> No. Do you have anything else you want to add before I ask the gentleman if there's no more questions? My son just said to me, well, it looks like we maybe
just got permission to build on it. So, are you by the Sheldons? Yes, they can. Yeah, oh, and my grandfather used to own a place Earl Betting was his name. Not too far away. >> That's a very old section of the lake. >> Yeah, yep. Okay, I would if there's no questions from Council, I would entertain a
motion. I would just make motion to leave it as is. Second. Okay, any additional questions or discussion? Do we want to pursue? All those in Oh, sorry, do you have something before I call the vote?
>> Sorry. This picks up a little bit more than it should. So, Council member Hall's motion is to leave the property value as is. Okay, all those in favor signify by saying I. I.
Opposed? Okay, motion carries. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. We'll send a letter with their action, ma'am. We'll send a a letter out stating their motion and then the date if you want to appeal further,
ma'am. Just leave it with the county. >> Yes, Kevin. Do you have one in the audience? You didn't sign up, ma'am. You know, Gary you said that land and building values went up this year. And and I'd also just like to know Oh,
you can You can come up to the Why don't you come up to the microphone? Well, I came primarily for uh trend analysis. Oh, you don't have a request for the >> Oh, okay. >> request, but Do you want to share Do you
mind sharing your name with everyone? >> Sure, I'm Julie Krausey. I'm on Round. And uh I don't know if you want the property number or not. I'm not here to dispute that, but I just like to understand what the trend
values are doing, you know, and I'm looking at um you know, the inventory is really low, you know, as far as sales cuz that's going to you know, I know that sales drive drive a lot of this this change, but what are
you assessing Gull Lake at per per uh Sure, uh it's at well, $12,000 a foot. Okay, what's Round at? >> 7200, it actually went down 100. Oh. Yeah, and how about Margaret?
Margaret is Cass County, the wrong county. >> Oh, okay. >> [laughter] >> And Upper Gull I suppose is Cass, isn't it? Uh we we have Ray, we have Sylvan Ray. >> Clark probably. >> Okay. Which one? Clark, part of Clark, right?
>> We have all of Clark. Uh but so like Little Thor in there we're at 4700. You'd be interested in Roy Lakes at 8200 Nisswa Lake 7500.
Lower Cullen's 4400. Hubert 6600. Oh, Hubert's at 66. Mhm. >> Okay. How about North Long? North Long? It is at Look at this way.
4200. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. Yeah, I mean what are you what are you seeing for sales right now? You know, when you're looking cuz that you you do that analysis based on sales. What's what have you been seeing?
You know, it's it's been an interesting year. So, just pick on Gull. That went up $1,000 a foot. The Whitefish chain went down $1,000 a foot. >> Wow. So, now we have a gap between our two kind of premier but it's based on the sales on those two different bodies
of water. We already know we're about 5 months into next year's uh well, 6 months actually into next year already for 27. And it looks like Gull is heading for another big increase.
Um Wow. And that's just we're at Whitefish Whitefish looks like it's going to swing back this way, too. So, I've been saying this and I think I said we this is probably our seventh or eighth appeal board so far. I've said this. I feel like I'm
repeating it. I've heard it again for this year, but this is my third or fourth year in a row. I can't believe we haven't seen a pretty significant recession with property values. It just keeps chugging along. Um you know, there like Round had a
slight reduction but nothing real big. Um and a and a pocket here or there throughout the county that may be seen a reduction, but the vast majority of properties increased again in in Crow Wing County. I think one of the things that that I
keep asking is you know, property taxes increase. So, then that pushes that pushes taxes up along with it. And and I you know, I'm going to reach out to my commissioner and just ask the question
you know, kind of like what we I've asked city council is you know, you're getting a bump because of property you're getting an increase in in tax revenue based on property tax. You mean value? >> Value. So, that's not correct. It isn't.
>> No. >> So, I'm not understanding that. Right. So, if if we raise everybody up in value everybody goes up in value. If I'm giving you my hypothetical and if I have please just tell me I've heard your stick before be quiet.
No, I But if if we raise everybody up let's say equally. So, we take every classification there's 54 of them. We run about 40 in our county, but you know, so your seasonal, your residential, agricultural, commercial, seasonal commercial on the list goes on
and on. And we took everybody equally. Let's just say 25%. Right? Oh my gosh, I went up 25% in value. My taxes are going to go up. That's what everyone's going to think. But what's going to happen is everybody now is worth more on paper.
And then it's going to be decided on your school, your city, and your town or your in your county how much spending do they need to do to provide the services they believe they want to provide to you. If if they said we don't need another
dollar to operate and you went up 25%. So, now we have all this value extra in in Crow Wing County. Taxes don't do anything because spending was held. And it works the other way. When I came here I I came I know you know I came
from Todd County. But back in 2009 we were in just really deep in the Great Recession. So, 2010, 11, 12 we were slashing a billion dollars of value off the county tax rolls a year.
But do you think the val- the taxes went down when we were taking a billion dollars of value off? It didn't because government spending kept increasing. You know, the cost of things were more or whatever. Everybody has their own decisions. Um so it's not because you get all this
new value doesn't mean that it doesn't mean anything. That's not new That's The only thing that I would see as new income potentially is the new construction. So if somebody builds a new home that wasn't here last year, that's new to the assessment and that's going to help, you know, wherever they
built that that property. Um one thing that would be of interest to you and maybe the council is so 87 counties in this state. Where do you think Crow Wing County ranks as far as um
highest or one of the lowest ones per capita for tax for tax per head? And I'm just talking county right now. Just the county. Yeah, I I don't know. I'd say bottom third. So out of 87, we're 84th cheap- I mean so we're only
three from the bottom being the cheapest at a county level per capita. And And where's Nisswa in the county? Uh one of the lowest. They're they're like wait no I don't know. One of the lowest. Maybe before this year. >> [laughter] >> But you know, it is what it And
everybody can kind of say some different stuff. But when you look at that, um I do think Oh boy, do we have the natural resources and stuff here. But another thing that people comment to me, they really like the leadership around here. They like where a lot of the government goes and how they spend their money. And
that's that's getting to be a bigger and bigger thing for this state. And um it's kind of a cool it's, you know, you kind of marry those things up and that's the reason why it's hard to get a halfway decent home for less than $350,000,
you know, throughout pretty much almost anywhere in in this county. Especially here, it's really probably difficult to get it in this one. >> Thank you. That's helpful information. Add that to uh you know, I I I read this, you know, that would be an
interesting data data point. county's letter Yeah, that um Yeah. Yep. Yeah, about being 84th out of 87. Yeah. Cuz yeah, I my You're right. My
reference point is Todd County cuz that's that's where I've learned a lot of how this how values are done. Just remember who taught those people teaching you. >> [laughter] >> But I also asked them I asked them some of the same questions. It's like
>> Sure. you know, cuz yeah, farming I just, you know, I I spread that out what our costs are and yeah. Well, thank you very much. Absolutely. >> All right. Thank you. If If Nisswa does have us back for the tax um information session, hopefully
you maybe you could attend it. It was well received. I believe there was 15 or 20 folks. It was It was Were there more Yeah, maybe there was more than that. Oh, okay. Okay. That's okay. Yeah. Thank you. >> We're more than happy to to do that.
Okay. We have two written appeals. >> are. Okay. >> Yes. Um the first one is um Oh, how are we going to do this with um Do you have a list of all Oh, here. It's got to be more than four parcels on Good
Old Days, isn't it? Oh, okay. Okay. Don't worry about it. Well, um the first appeal will be Good Old Days Resort uh Tom Stephens um is the representative um
I'll get you a list of uh Yeah, you have it in there somewhere, right? The list of all the parcel numbers. Um and what we're asking is for the board to um we're recommending that you make no change here today. >> Okay. Uh Tom is going to meet with uh
Trevor. He's going to do an interior view on on the all the townhomes and stuff to see if there's anything there. Um we would be recommending we had a slight reduction on some land, but since um
we need to do a review on the buildings anyways, if you did a no change here, if we find something we got to change, we'll just run it through county board and or if he's not happy, he can go appeal to county board too if if that's okay with you guys. Okay. So you just need a motion. But we need Yeah, motion on these parcel numbers. Okay.
Do you want us to read them all? Yeah, we don't want to miss any. If you want to read those and and a council member can just move it. Trevor, I'll start reading these and tell me if I'm I'll make a motion on parcel numbers um 280
20514 515 516 517 518 519 520 521 522 523
524 671 672 673 674 675 676 677 and 678
for no change for no change. >> Okay. I'll second. You have a motion from council member Hall, a second from council member Fraley. Any questions or discussion? All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Okay, motion carries. And then the second written appeal?
Uh the second one is um a Mike Tiffany. This is um a property on Nisswa Lake or I'm sorry, it's actually Roy Lake. You just come through the channel coming from Nisswa. This property will be right to the left when you're coming out of the channel.
Um What we're going to hand you is he um got a comparative market analysis from uh a realtor. I believe the realtor is from the city's uh Premier Properties.
Nope. Nope. Um I'll get We prepared these packets for you. So we try to do the best we can for this guy. Here's Here's the CMA that um he wants you to consider why we're too
high on his property. Thank you. Yeah. And this would be the one pager is our comparables and adjustments or just trying to lay out the property
characteristics similarity. Do you have this one on the map, Trevor? So the one interesting thing on this one, this one they did buy this property in 2024,
October I believe of 2024. And I got to check. Oh, don't die on me. Oh, it says for 925. Yeah, there you go. I believe it's 925. So we're currently at a million 44. Now, you know, we're a year and a half later, so we've
we believe the market on Roy, we went up on Roy Lake this year um I got it all out of whack. Uh $200 a foot, so that's, you know, uh 20 grand there and then we had building increases county wide and then we marry
those back with um all the properties we had. Do you have the sales up for Roy? Or did I not have you guys do that? That's my bad if I didn't ask you. $8,200 a foot on Roy. How much did his
his taxes pay his property taxes all go up or did Oh, sure. Sorry, I just got to get it pulled up. Just take me 1 second. Do it too much talking, not enough walking. Oh. Wait for Oh, that's the sales. I I
needed to see I'm going to get her the tax values and tax here real quick. So for 2025, it was at 982,300. The current value is 1,044,000. Taxes for the year went from 6762 for paid 25 and in paid 26, they're at
8692. These are pretty typical increases uh for Roy, Nisswa, Love Lake, those little lakes that are part of the Gull chain. That little Thor, I was like to I always laugh cuz that they call it Thor, but it's, you know, it's that
little inlet there. Um they do all seem to be also I want to explain with increasing rapidly with um what we're seeing on Gull Lake proper. We used We used to be able to say we
were $1,000 lower than Cass County. Now we're the same as Cass County. We're both at $12,000 a foot for the prime stuff on the chain. We finally come to our senses, I guess. Gosh. Um I believe that
there's been some improvements done on this property after they built. Oh, I I'm I didn't realize that myself. Yeah. But what I visualize Right. Yeah. Okay. Once again, from what I've just
physically I know where the place is, what I've noticed is they've done enhancements to the property. Okay. Yeah. On on this big sheet, I mean, everybody's professionals by all means, but it
doesn't mean that we have to agree with folks. In this CMA, when they get down and he blends it into a per front foot, he also used lakes like Little Pelican, Little Hubert. I'm like, what is he doing? That takes,
you know, and it takes your average way down, you know? So, he still gets it into a $900,000 thing, but our team, when they pointed I I had folks read this. I had bring me the cliff notes, and I'm like, "Wow."
I hope he didn't pay too much for it. Well, do it uh does any any council members have any questions for Gary or anything about the packet? Otherwise, if um council is ready to make >> a motion for no change on parcel 28100642.
Do we have a second? Second. Okay, motion by Fraley and second by council member I heard them both at the same time, so council member London. Can I clarify what was the personal number? I have here 28100642.
Yes. Yep, I'm sorry. Okay. Any additional questions um or discussion from council? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed? Okay, motion carries. That's all, Mayor. Okay. Do we have anything else?
I think that's that's that's it. Okay, a motion to adjourn would now be in order. I'll make a motion to adjourn. Second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed? Okay, meeting is adjourned. Thank you so much.