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Grant County equalization board upholds most valuations, denies large appeal and applies 3% residential increase
Summary
At its June 4 meeting the Grant County Board of Equalization approved a long list of parcel value adjustments across cities and townships, denied a multi-parcel appeal for lack of documentation, accepted a revised valuation for a disputed metal building, and voted to increase residential values countywide by 3% to meet state tolerance levels.
The Grant County Board of Equalization met June 4 and approved a series of parcel-by-parcel valuation adjustments across incorporated cities, organized and unorganized townships, and subdivisions. Vice Chairman Marty Meyer opened the meeting at 1:04 p.m.; Commissioner Al Roy Hochhalter moved to approve the agenda and the motion carried by roll call.
Most items on the agenda were individual parcel decisions: the board corrected several misallocated garage values, approved partial-year valuations for new construction, added values for new garages, decks and metal buildings, and approved reductions where structures were demolished or classified as government-owned and exempt. Tax Director Jackie Steinmetz prepared valuations on multiple contested items; the board routinely approved motions moved by Commissioner Hochhalter and seconded by Vice Chairman Meyer.
Two contested items drew extended attention. Bill Schneider asked the board to reduce values for multiple Kingdom Investors parcels from $4,041,000 to $2,869,186, arguing the State Tax Department's 2024 valuation method was flawed and presenting a private-appraiser estimate; the board denied the appeal because Schneider did not supply supporting documentation and rejected the discounted-cash-flow valuation method he proposed. Separately, Lynn and Amiee Griffin disputed the assessed value of a metal building (parcel 62101623) in New Leipzig; Griffin provided cost documentation and said he performed interior electrical work and that the building has no floor or heat. Tax Director Jackie Steinmetz set a revised value of $70,200 (accounting for a dirt floor); the board voted to accept the $70,200 figure rather than the Griffins' requested $50,000.
Reva Weekes, City of Leith auditor, raised a policy concern after the county's earlier determination that at least one grain bin qualified as agricultural-exempt and had its value removed. Auditor Sara Meier noted that if multiple grain bins were ruled exempt it could materially affect Leith's small annual budget (about $5,000), and that any omitted-property additions could be made after the State Board of Equalization completes its review.
Near the close of the meeting the board voted to increase all residential land values by 3% and to increase residential structure values (excluding new construction) by 3% to bring countywide residential valuations within the tolerance levels required by the North Dakota State Board of Equalization. The board then approved all remaining classification and valuation changes on the agenda and adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Procedural notes and next steps: several items (notably the status of grain bins in Leith and any omitted-property additions) may be revisited following action by the State Board of Equalization or at a future regular county-commissioners meeting. The minutes record no direct verbatim quotations; the account above paraphrases speakers and actions as recorded in the official meeting minutes.
