Cook County Assessor Bob Thompson presented a review and update of the counties tax abatement policy, last reviewed in 2009. Thompson said Cook County Attorney Molly Hicken and Auditor/ Treasurer Braidy Powers reviewed and updated the policy with him, and the updated policy meets the recommendations and follows the guidelines outlined by the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
Under the revised policy the county board can delegate authority to the county auditor to process future, current-year abatement’s administratively, without additional review from board members. This is limited to current-year abatement’s of $10,000 or less, due to the required notice to other taxing districts on abatement applications of that significance.
Abatement is defined as, “an action to reduce or abate the market value, taxes, or to change the property classification, following a written request by the taxpayer of record, the property owner, or owner’s agent.”
As stated in the new policy, “Abatements over $10,000 require the county board to give 20 days notice of the abatement application to the school board of Independent School District #166 and the City of Grand Marais.”
Abatement’s are used as a last resort to correct errors in assessments or valuations for current taxes payable but can only go back two years.
The county board accepted the changes to the Cook County Tax Abatement policy.
In other action taken by the board:
* John Denney was hired as the Assessor Appraiser at the board’s August 4 meeting. Denney will start work on August 17. Denney will fill the position held by Rachel Espe, who received a promotion to Assistant County Assessor.
* Commissioners approved a motion to certify that the Cook County/ Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) act as the subrecipient of the County CARES funds.
On July 14 the county approved the CARES distribution plan, which included $200,000 that the EDA will make available for local businesses in need. The county asked the EDA to sign a certification noting the legal use and time period for the funds to be distributed, and any funds not granted be returned.
* The board called a special meeting to be held following the committee of the whole meeting on August 18 to discuss the candidates for the county administrator position. Commissioners will select finalists for interviews, which will be held ‘virtually’ on September 10.
* With Commissioner Bobby Deschampe’s last day effective the end of August, the other four commissioners divided up his 19 committee assignments until a new commissioner is elected in February, 2021.
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