STATE OF MINNESOTA 20th MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF AND LOCAL SALES TAX DIVISION
MINUTES
Representative Marquart, Chair of the Division, Called the meeting to order at 9:04 AM on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 in the Little Falls City Council Chambers.
Committee Legislative Assistant Paul Cumings noted the roll.
Members of the Division Present:
MARQUART, Paul (Chair)
Members of the Division Excused:
BROWN, Robin (Vice-Chair)
ANDERSON, Sarah
DEMMER, Randy
DITTRICH, Denise
ERHARDT, Ron
LANNING, Morrie
LENCZEWSKI, Ann
LOEFFLER, Diane
MULLERY, Joe
PAYMAR, Michael
Members of the Legislature Present (who do not serve on the Division):
DOTY, Al
Representative Marquart gave an introduction to the hearing and the Property Tax Relief Divisions goals in having the hearings across Minnesota.
Representative Doty welcomed the Division to Little Falls and welcomed members of the public to the Division Meeting. He spoke about the need for property tax relief in the Little Falls area as well as the pressure high property taxes has put on services to local government like education, health care and city maintenance.
Representative Paul Marquart, Chair of the Division, gave an overview of Property Taxes in Minnesota and spoke about the impact of rising property taxes.
Susan Beck, Human Services Director in Crow Wing County, testified on the impacts of state mandates as well as the impacts of rising property taxes. Nancy Nelson, Director of Human Services in Becker County, testified on the impacts of state mandates. Stephen Green with the Minnesota Association of Townships testified on the impacts of rising property taxes.
Chair Marquart, read a statement by Loren Ingrebretsen, Chair of the Minnesota Association of Townships on the impacts of rising property taxes.
Steve Reger, Morrison County Social Services Director, testified on the impacts of state mandates as well as property taxes. James Ringweski testified about his concerns with assessment practices. Lynette Gessell testified on the impacts of rising property taxes. She also testified about the access to technology in rural Minnesota. Earl Mathison, Superintendent for the Upsala School District, testified on the impacts of state aids as well as the growing impacts of property taxes. Dean Peterson, Upsala School Board Treasurer, testified on the impacts of state aids as well as the growing impacts of property taxes. Ray Van Herk, Owner of Ray's Body Shop, testified that property taxes on small businesses are forcing small businesses to close. Ray Ecklund, Ambassador for the League of Minnesota Cities, testified to the merits of LGA. Christina Zeise, Sherburne County Planner, testified on the impacts of state mandates as well as the growing impacts of property taxes. Mitchell Berg, City Administrator for the City of Mahnomen, was concerned about his city's ability to give services despite the Indian reservation's lack of property tax receipts to the city and county. Ron Hourscht testified on the impacts of state aids as well as the growing impacts of property taxes. Russ Nygren, Morrison County Auditor, testified on the application of the Market Value Homestead Credit. Duane Bobick, City Councilmember for the City of Little Falls, testified on the impacts of the slowing economy as well as the growing impacts of property taxes. Garrison Hale, City Administrator for the Little Falls, testified on the impacts of declining state aids as well as the growing impacts of property taxes. Lori Kasella, Finance Director for the City of Little Falls, testified on the impacts of state aids as well as the impacts of growing property taxes. Tim Houle, Morrison County Administrator, testified about his concerns about the shifts from state governments to local governments. Roman Witeki, Supervisor for Pine Creek Township, testified about the growing costs of transportation for townships.
Don Neimi, Aitkin County Assessor, testified about assessing practices in Minnesota.
Representative Al Doty thanked the citizens for their comments and feedback.
Paul Marquart, Chair of the Division, adjourned the hearing in Little Falls at 11:51 AM.
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Representative Paul Marquart, Chair
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Paul Cumings, Committee Legislative Assistant