Minnetonka board approves assessor values, refers contested appeals for outside review

The Minnetonka Local Board of Appeal and Equalization approved assessor-recommended values for 22 properties, voted to refer four contested residential appeals to volunteer advisers and sent three commercial appeals plus two walk-in appeals back to assessing staff for further review. The board recessed and will reconvene at 5:30 p.m. on April 21 to consider adviser recommendations and any remaining appeals.

The board’s meeting began with an overview from Miss Putts of the assessing staff: “Per state requirements, all property is to be valued at its market value and all property is to be classified according to its use,” Putts said, describing the board’s role and the three sections of appeals on the agenda. After no property owners rose to speak for the Section A properties (agreed values), the clerk read assessor recommendations into the record and the board approved them in a single motion. Council member Calvert moved to approve “the values listed in Section A of the agenda items 1 through 22,” and Council member Schack seconded; the roll call vote was unanimous.

Several property owners spoke during the Section B and “other properties” portions. Thomas Green, who identified himself as an owner at 12700 Sherwood Place, said his condo has three separate assessments and challenged the treatment of garage stalls in valuation. “I believe that’s what’s taking place in those condos,” he said, adding that garage stalls are not freely marketable and that he felt he had been double-taxed on them. Putts and the board told Green the advisers would review his concern and return a recommendation at the reconvened meeting.

Uzma Samadani of 2634 Crosby Road appealed her 2025 valuation, saying it had risen dramatically since she purchased the home in 2015: “I would like to appeal my property valuation because it's gone up almost 450% since I bought the property in 2015,” she said. Putts recommended staff review and the board referred the property to staff for additional analysis.

Council voted to refer four properties listed in Section B to volunteer advisers (items read into record as 17412 Sanctuary Drive; 12700 Sherwood Place #207; 12700 Sherwood Place Unit G81; 12700 Sherwood Place Unit G74). Council member Calvert moved to refer items 1–4 in Section B to advisers; Council member Romaley seconded and the motion passed on a unanimous roll call.

The board then read three Section C properties into the record (12950 Paisetta Boulevard; 5125 County Road 101; 15802 Wayzata Boulevard) and the board agreed to refer those and two in-person appeals to assessing staff for follow-up. Calvert moved to refer the three listed properties in Section C and the two appealed in person to assessing staff; Romilly seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Council and staff told occupants they would be contacted to arrange property inspections before April 21.

All votes on the board’s motions were taken by roll call and passed unanimously. The board recessed to reconvene April 21 at 5:30 p.m.

Why it matters: The board’s referrals and approvals determine assessed values used in calculating property taxes and set the schedule for any further review. Property owners who pursue appeals rely on impartial adviser reports or staff reassessments before the board issues final decisions.

What’s next: Adviser reviews and staff site visits will take place before the board reconvenes on April 21, when the board will hear adviser recommendations and make final determinations on contested appeals.