Marshall County board elects Miller chair, lowers value for contested parcel and records countywide assessment changes

At a June 16 Board of Appeal and Equalization session in the Marshall County Board Room, the Marshall County Board of Commissioners unanimously elected Commissioner Rolland Miller chair for the meeting and approved an assessor-recommended reduction in the market value of parcel 19-0025-000 in Grand Plain Township.

Assessor Ryan Larson administered the oath to the appeal board and read a letter from the parcel owner, Wyatt Alby. Larson said an interior inspection recommended by the local board found the basement had shifted and was being used for storage and that the barn should be rated in poor condition. "It is suggested to lower the house grade from D6 to D5," Larson said, and recommended lowering the parcel's estimated market value from $245,200 to $202,200. The board approved the change on a unanimous vote (mover: Commissioner Gary Kiesow; seconder: Commissioner Sharon Bring; tally 6–0).

Before that vote the board handled leadership for the session: Commissioner Sharon Bring nominated Commissioner Rolland Miller to serve as chair for the meeting. Commissioner Gary Kiesow moved to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot; Commissioner Jim Duckstad seconded, and the motion carried.

Larson also reported countywide changes to assessments. He said overall estimated market value (EMV) rose 4.1% excluding state-assessed and exempt properties and that residential, apartment and multi-unit rental buildings showed an average 12% increase. He reported tillable acre values experienced rate changes between -5% and +5%, woods-per-acre values increased from $1,300 to $1,450, and the perpetual-easement per-acre value rose from $600 to $750.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:02 p.m. on a unanimous motion (mover: Auditor-Treasurer Scott Peters; seconder: Commissioner Jim Duckstad; tally 6–0).