Rolla council approves 3% commercial assessment increase, leaves residential valuation unchanged

The Rolla City Council, meeting as the Board of Equalization on May 20, approved an increase to commercial taxable valuation while leaving residential valuations unchanged.

Wendy Belgarde, Rolette County Tax Director, and Rebecca Albert, Rolla City Assessor, appeared before the board and presented the county and city recommendations for 2026 assessments. They recommended no increase to residential taxable valuation and proposed a 1% increase to commercial taxable valuation; the minutes record those recommendations to the board.

The minutes list three parcels that were provided notice of increases to their 2026 assessments: Matthew and Marian Peterson (Parcel 29-0014-29678-000) with a $15,000 change; Booth Inc. (Parcel 29-0001-29208-000) with a $14,100 change; and Tyler Bergsrud (Parcel 29-0028-29902-000) with a $229,200 change. Council members discussed pursuing a gradual commercial valuation increase to approach the customary median assessment ratio of 90%–100%.

Councilmember Alex Albert moved, and Councilmember Damond Schemmel seconded, a motion “to approve all assessments as presented by the tax director, increase commercial taxable valuation by 3% and no increase to residential taxable valuation.” On roll call William Fritz, Deanna Counts, Alex Albert and Damond Schemmel voted AYE; Paul Frydenlund voted NAY. Based on the roll-call votes recorded in the minutes, the motion carried by a 4–1 vote. (The minutes also include the phrase “Motion carried unanimously”; the roll-call tally above reflects the recorded individual votes.)

The board adjourned at 5:19 p.m. The unofficial minutes were attested by Mayor Kevin Juntunen and City Auditor Tara McDougall.