Local board trims several property assessments after appeals; council OKs engineering amendment and a utility-relief pilot

The City of Beresford’s local board of equalization and city council met on March 16 to hear eight property assessment appeals and to consider several city actions. After testimony from property owners and discussion about recent county reassessments, the board voted to lower assessed values on multiple parcels and the council approved budget and program items including an engineering fee amendment and a proposed utility-relief pilot.

The board’s most contested case involved appeal 2026-01 from Lyndon and Mary Knudson, owners of a private museum built in 2021. Lyndon Knudson told the board the building produces no admission revenue and that he was “caught in that 20% up that they increased it,” arguing the assessor’s recent structural revaluation overstated the property’s market burden. After discussion about county-wide commercial reassessments and how building-permit reported costs can set new baselines, the board adopted an amended recommendation setting the structure value at $357,000 and land at $18,198 for a total assessed value of $375,198. The motion carried on a voice vote.

Rob Tobin, appearing by Zoom for S & S Rentals, urged the…