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Independence council approves Hennepin County assessment services agreement
Summary
The Independence City Council voted 5-0 on Aug. 20 to approve a joint powers agreement with Hennepin County to receive assessment services at no charge; city officials said the arrangement memorializes services and could save the city about $80,000 annually.
The Independence City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a joint powers agreement (JPA) with Hennepin County that will move local assessment services to the county’s program and waive the city’s current assessment charge.
City Administrator Mark Kaltsas told the council the county is offering assessment services to cities at no cost, a change the administration says would relieve roughly an $80,000 annual expense the city currently incurs. Kaltsas said the agreement is indefinite but includes a 90-day termination clause and that the city would continue to have final say on property valuations and appeals. "If you continue to contract with a private entity, you'd have to have good reason for why you wouldn’t use Hennepin County for free," Kaltsas said during the discussion.
Kaltsas said the county will need access to certain city data — building permits, conditional use permits (CUPs) and property improvement records — to perform assessments. He said the county clarified procedures and the city attorney had reviewed the draft agreement.
Councilor Brad Spencer moved to approve the contract; Councilor Lynn Betts seconded. The motion passed 5-0. The roll call listed Mayor Marvin Johnson, Councilor McCoy, Councilor Lynn Betts, Councilor Brad Spencer and Councilor Steve Grotting voting yes. Meeting minutes note that Kennedy Graven (the city’s counsel firm) agreed on proposed changes to the contract language.
The council did not set an implementation timeline in the meeting; Kaltsas said the change is largely administrative and that staff will return with details if any operational adjustments are required. The approval formalizes the county’s offering and allows the city to terminate with 90 days’ notice if it later chooses another arrangement.
Votes at a glance: Motion to approve the Hennepin County joint powers agreement for assessment services — moved by Councilor Brad Spencer, seconded by Councilor Lynn Betts; outcome: approved 5-0. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda (minutes and accounts payable) also passed earlier in the meeting 5-0.
