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BOARD OF REVIEW Minutes 090121Unapproved Audio on file for seven years. CITY OF MUSKEGO BOARD OF REVIEW MINUTES September 1, 2021 10:00 AM Muskego City Hall, W182 S8200 Racine Avenue CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Jeremy Keil called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Board Members Lynda Guhr, Jeremy Keil, Henry Posbrig and Mara Spring. Also present: City Attorney Jeff Warchol, Deputy Clerk Jill Blenski, Assistant Deputy Clerk Kerri Roller, Administrative Assistant Christine Crisp, and Assessors Mark Link and Nick DePalma from Tyler Technologies. Board Member Gerald Boisits was absent. STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE The Deputy Clerk stated that the meeting was noticed in accordance with the open meeting law. MINUTES – May 11, 2021 Mara Spring moved to approve. Lynda Guhr seconded; motion carried. BUSINESS Verify that the City has an Ordinance for the Confidentiality of Income and Expense Information Provided to the Assessor Under State Law, Wis. Stats. 70.47 (7)(af) The Board confirmed that the City adopted an Ordinance in 1999 that complies with Wisconsin State Statutes. Board of Review Training Update The Deputy Clerk stated that she filed an amended Affidavit with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue to reflect that Board Member Jeremy Keil also completed training. The Board Members that have completed the certified training are: Jeremy Keil, Henry Posbrig and Mara Spring. Review Policy Regarding Procedure for Sworn Telephone Testimony or Sworn Written Testimony Requests The Board acknowledged the existing policies that are in place. It was noted that several objectors have requested to provide sworn telephone testimony or sworn written testimony. Review Policy Regarding the Procedure for Waiver of Board of Review Hearing Requests City Attorney Warchol stated this policy also has been in place. Board of Review Minutes 2 September 1, 2021 Filing and Summary of the Annual Assessment Report by the Assessor Assessor Mark Link introduced the staff present from Tyler Technologies, Nick DePalma and Michael Weymier. He gave a brief recap of the 2021 citywide revaluation. Sales from November 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020 were used to estimate market values as of January 1, 2021. The Assessor’s Office does research those sales to determine their validity. Assessor Link reviewed the timeline that was used to mail the required notices and conduct the open book period. All changes made at open book are included in the 2021 roll. The average increase in assessed value is 21%. Following the revaluation, the level of assessment is at 100%. The Department of Revenue may indicate that level at plus or minus 2%. That is what will be reflected on the 2021 tax bills. Receipt of the Assessment Roll by the Deputy Clerk Assessor Link presented the 2021 Assessment Roll to the Deputy Clerk. The Assessor’s Affidavit was executed. Establish Procedures of Operation and Deliberations Chairman Keil noted that the Board Members were familiar with the procedures of operation and deliberations. The Board will deliberate after each objection if time permits. Consider Waivers of Late Objectors No late objectors were present. The first two hours that the Board will be in session are 10:00 a.m. to noon. Consider Request to Testify by Telephone or Submit a Sworn Written Statement at the Board of Review Submitted by Thomas Sheahan and Natalie Sobierajski, S72 W14818 Candlewood Lane, Tax Key No. 2202.081 City Attorney Warchol stated the existing policy contains the criteria the Board should consider to determine if it will allow the taxpayers’ request. Mara Spring moved to approve. Henry Posbrig seconded; motion carried. Consider Request to Submit a Sworn Written Statement at the Board of Review Submitted by Annette Duplanty, W165 S7423 Bellview Drive, Tax Key No. 2198.973 Lynda Guhr moved to approve the request. Henry Posbrig seconded; motion carried. Consider Request to Testify by Telephone at the Board of Review Submitted by Brian Carlson, W167 S7284 Briargate Lane, Tax Key No. 2198.098 Mara Spring moved to approve the request. Lynda Guhr seconded; motion carried. Hearings and Decisions on Objections to Property Assessments The Board considered the following objections: • Thomas Sheahan and Natalie Sobierajski Tax Key No. 2202.081 S72 W14818 Candlewood Lane Lynda Guhr noted that the taxpayers indicated that the home was purchased on January 9, 2021. The taxpayers submitted a sworn written statement. They also testified by telephone. Following the taxpayers’ testimony regarding the condition of the property, Assessor Link acknowledged that this was new information. The taxpayers did not appear at open book. Square footage for finished basement living space was included in the assessed value. However, it should not have been as the basement flooded several times. Mr. Link stated that Board of Review Minutes 3 September 1, 2021 the date of conveyance of the property was November 30, 2020. The transfer of the property was recorded at Waukesha County in January of 2021. Henry Posbrig moved that the Assessor’s valuation is incorrect and that the value of the property is: Land $121,900 Improvements 263,100 Total $385,000 Lynda Guhr seconded. Motion carried 4 in favor. The Assessor agreed to the correction. • Annette Duplanty Tax Key No. 2198.973 W165 S7423 Bellview Drive The taxpayer submitted a sworn written statement. Mara Spring moved to sustain the Assessor’s valuation. Henry Posbrig seconded. Motion carried 4 in favor. Consider Request for Waiver for Board of Review Hearing and Request to Testify by Telephone or Submit Sworn Written Statement - Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust, W159 S6530 Moorland Road, Tax Key No. 2169.999.003 It was noted that the Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust submitted the required documents for the Board to consider the request for a waiver. Lynda Guhr moved to grant the waiver. Mara Spring seconded. Motion carried 4 in favor. At approximately 11:40 am, the Board of Review went off the record to review the roll. It was noted that no late objectors appeared before the Board between 10:00 am and noon. The Board took a brief recess. The Board of Review reconvened at 12:48 pm. Hearings and Decisions on Objections to Property Assessments Continued The Board considered the following objections: • Brian Carlson Tax Key No. 2198.098 W167 S7284 Briargate Lane The taxpayer provided sworn telephone testimony. Henry Posbrig moved to sustain the Assessor’s valuation. Lynda Guhr seconded. Motion carried 4 in favor. • James LaBrasca Tax Key No. 2287.019 W190 S10959 Racine Avenue The taxpayer appeared before the Board. Lynda Guhr moved to sustain the Assessor’s valuation. Henry Posbrig seconded. Motion carried 4 in favor. Consider Assessor's Request for Waiver for Board of Review Hearing - Philip Conrardy, W199 S6904 Crabapple Court, Tax Key No. 2179.043 Board of Review Minutes 4 September 1, 2021 The City Assessor requested that the Board of Review hearing be waived. The Authorized Agent for the Taxpayer, David Conrardy, was present. The property owner addressed the Board via telephone as he works in northern Wisconsin. Both individuals expressed their objection to the Assessor’s request. Jeremy Keil moved to grant the waiver. Lynda Guhr seconded. Motion carried 4 in favor. Adjournment Mara Spring moved to adjourn to September 2, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Jeremy Keil seconded; motion carried. The Board adjourned at 2:30 p.m. Minutes taken and transcribed by Jill Blenski, Deputy Clerk