At the April 21 meeting of the city council, Police Chief Blaise Sass presented a quote for a 2025 Chevrolet 1500 PPV on state bid from North Country GM.
The new squad will replace a 2018 Dodge Ram. The replacement of the squad had been scheduled for 2024. The planned purchase for the squad with equipment and graphics will cost a total of $67,216.93 ($50,931.60 for the pickup, $15,650.33 for equipment from Emergency Automotive Technologies, Inc., and $635 for graphics from Kelly Printing).
The purchase was approved as presented.
Local Board of Appeal and Equalization
Isaak Solum, Fillmore County Assessor’s Office, reviewed the appeals process available to property owners and the purpose of this meeting, which is to give taxpayers an opportunity to appeal the market value and/or classification of their property for the current assessment year for taxes payable the following year.
Solum explained the state requires assessed values to maintain a Median Sales Ratio between 90% and 105% when there are six or more sales; a five-year study is used if there are not six sales. The purpose of equalization is to ensure each taxpayer is liable for their fair share of the tax burden.
After reviewing county data, Solum reported there were 17 qualified residential sales in Preston. This put the sales ratio at 88.79, which is why there has been a 9.4% increase in residential valuations. Now, the sales ratio is about 97%.
A property owner and a representative for a property owner made a case for valuations to be reduced. One property is at 1102 Overlook Dr. NW and the other was a unit that was part of a four-plex at 504 Fillmore St. W. There was no recommendation to lower the valuation from the county for the first property. The second property had not been evaluated by Solum at this time. Solum said he will look at the property and have a recommendation for the county at the Board of Appeal and Equalization on June 17. Both can appeal before the county at that time.
Ryan Welscher, Fillmore County Assessor’s Office, explained they look at actual data, not the current market. The state can step in if valuations are too low. Welscher said he felt the valuation of the Overlook Dr. property was accurate. He recommended the owner get a private new sale appraisal of the property, if he wants to appeal at the county meeting.
Other Business in Brief
- An agreement with MSA Professional Services, Inc. to complete the update of the city’s Comprehensive Plan was approved. There will be some opportunities for the community to engage with the planners. The timeline for the update will begin in late May and run through late December. The plan will address economic development, tourism, parks, community facilities, and existing and future land use maps. The lump sum for the work will be $30,000.
- The hires of Mary Reisner and Rebecca Grabau as the visitor center staff was ratified. There were several applicants this year for these positions.
- Approval was granted for the closure of Main St. for Trout Trot on May 16 from 4:30-7:00 pm.
- May 18-24 is EMS week. It will begin with the Annual Steak Dinner on Friday of Trout Days. Medical Services Week was proclaimed by Mayor Kurt Reicks. This is the 51st anniversary of EMS Week; the theme is “We Care. For Everyone.” EMS, a vital public service, provides 24/7 service. Thousands of hours are volunteered each year.
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