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With the 2022 assessment in the books, the Cook County Assessor’s Office has begun the process of inspecting properties in our 2022 quintile district, the Gunflint Trail. Minnesota law requires that assessors inspect properties at least every five years; the Gunflint Trail was last inspected during the summer of 2017. Any property beyond Hedstrom’s Lumber up the Gunflint is subject to the 2022 quintile review, including Greenwood Lake and the properties north of the old Lima Grade trestle bridge.
If you own property up the Gunflint and you’d like to schedule an appointment for this inspection, please call the Cook County Assessor’s Office at 218-387-3650.
During the Assessor’s property inspections, appraisers are looking for changes that have occurred since the most recent visit and they are verifying the accuracy of the property record. In Cook County, many property improvements that do not change the three-dimensional profile of an existing structure can be completed without a permit. Items like kitchen and bathroom remodels, as well as replacing roof, siding, or windows, likely do not require a land-use permit from the county. Please be sure to check with Cook County’s Land Services Department before starting a project, otherwise there can be an after-the-fact penalty if a permit was required for your project but was not issued.
When an appraiser arrives at a property for their inspection, they first do their best to locate anybody who is present (including furry bodies), they will identify themselves and explain the reason for their visit. After the bears have been scared off and the occupants notified, the appraiser will take photos of structures and other site improvement, they will verify some measurements, and they will walk the property taking notes.
The appraiser will likely ask to see the interior of the structure(s) if someone is present during their visit, or they may just verbally verify some of the interior details on our existing record. Property owners can decline an interior inspection by the Assessor’s Office, and property owners can ask the appraiser to leave if they do not want them there. When an inspection is declined, appraisers make reasonable assumptions based off the information available, and the property owner cannot appeal their valuation to the County Board until an inspection has been completed.
Get to know your Assessing Staff
The Assessor’s Office is currently comprised of four staff: the County Assessor Bob Thompson, Assistant County Assessor Rachel Espe, Appraiser Andrew Beavers and Appraiser Kyle Monson.
Bob Thompson took over as County Assessor in June 2019, after working as an appraiser in the office since October 2016. Prior to joining the Cook County Assessor’s Office, Bob worked for 13 years in the private sector doing real property appraisals for refinance and purchase transactions. Bob was also a licensed real estate agent and passed the broker’s exam in 2012, but never pursued opening his own real estate firm. Bob has six siblings, all of which had their appraiser’s license at some point. Of the seven siblings, five currently work in property valuation (one is a NICU/PICU Nurse and one has retired from the Ramsey County Assessor’s Office). Bobs favorite pastime activities outside of work include snowboarding at Lutsen Mountain and fishing for Walleye.
Rachel Espe started in the Assessor’s Office in June of 2014 as a Technical Clerk. Rachel moved up to a Clerk/ Staff Appraiser in 2016 and Assistant Assessor in 2020. Rachel graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics. She enjoys numbers and the cool weather Grand Marais has to offer.
Andrew Beavers – Born and raised in Iowa, Andrew’s North Shore journey started in 2005 when he moved to Lutsen, sight unseen I may add, to work at Lutsen Resort for the Summer. That first summer inspired a love for all of the natural beauty and recreation that this area has to offer that still grows even after 17 years in the Arrowhead region. After leaving the resort Andrew worked in the non-profit world and then moved on to business development and real estate before joining the assessor’s office in June of 2021. Andrew loves all things outdoors but is most passionate about foraging for wild edibles (especially chanterelles and ramps), playing all forms golf (disc and ball), and of course camping and fishing. Andrew has made the Caribou Trail his home for the last 13 years and enjoys the peace and quiet of the maple forest with his wife and loveable furry companion, Loki.
Kyle Monson started with Cook County as an Appraiser Trainee in October of 2021 and is currently working on earning his CMA license. Kyle is married to Jeanne who also works for Cook County and has two children, Brianna and Elias who attend school at ISD 166. As someone who was born and raised in Cook County, Kyle has a good understanding of the community and the properties within. When not working Kyle loves golf, fishing, hunting, traveling, and is going to try his hand at skiing again.
The Assessor’s Office will be present at the Mid-Trail Homeowners Association meeting on Saturday, July 9, at 11:00 a.m. in the midtrail Community Center. We would be happy to see you there to hear a brief presentation and answer any questions you may have related to your property assessment.
County Connections is a column on timely topics and service information from your Cook County government. Cook County – Supporting Community Through Quality Public Service.
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