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Property Tax Relief and Local Sales Tax Division

18th MEETING

2007-2008 Regular Session - Wednesday, February 6, 2008

STATE OF MINNESOTA 18th 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 1:01 PM on Wednesday, February 6th, 2008 in the Rochester City Council Chambers.

Committee Legislative Assistant Paul Cumings noted the roll.

Members of the Division Present:
MARQUART, Paul (Chair)
DEMMER, Randy

Members of the Division Excused:
BROWN, Robin (Vice-Chair)
ANDERSON, Sarah
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):
WELTI, Andy

Representative Marquart gave an introduction to the hearing and the Property Tax Relief Divisions goals in having the hearings across Minnesota.

Representative Welti welcomed the Division to Rochester and welcomed members of the public to the Division Meeting.

Representative Demmer welcomed the Division to Rochester and welcomed members of the public to the Division Meeting.

Representative Paul Marquart, Chair of the Division, gave an overview of Property Taxes in Minnesota and spoke about the impact of rising property taxes.

Kenneth Brown, Olmsted County Commissioner, testified on the impacts of state mandates as well as property taxes. Pat Graves, member of the Southton School Board, testified on the impacts of property taxes as well as her concerns about the change in wind energy offset from schools in southeast Minnesota. Ardell Brady, Mayor of the City of Rochester, testified on the impacts of state mandates as well as property taxes. Kate Hanson, City Administrator for West Concord, testified on the impacts of declining LGA as well as increasing property taxes. Bobbie Vickerman, City Administrator for the City of Lanesboro, as well as Thomas Dybing, City Councilmember for the City of Lanesboro, testified about the need for a local option sales tax for the City of Lanesboro. Steven Hacken, County Assessor in Winona County, testified about his concerns about possible changes coming with Green Acres. Carma Bjornson, Family Resource Center Director in Olmsted County, testified on the impacts of state mandates as well as property taxes. Sandy Simar, Head Start Director for Olmsted County, testified that city, county and schools have partnered successfully to help families. She testified about her concerns about cuts in aid. Carol Duff, City Council President from Red Wing, Minnesota, testified on the impacts of the changes in utility valuations which greatly impacted the property tax rates in her city. Gary Pederson, District 1 Director of the Minnesota Association of Townships, testified about testified on the impacts of declining state aid as well as the need to address increasing property taxes in his area. Mary Burt, Councilmember for the City of West Concord, testified about her concerns about assessing practices.

Representatives Demmer and Welti gave closing remarks.

Representative Marquart thanked the people of Rochester for their hospitality and gave closing remarks.

Representative Marquart, Chair of the Committee, adjourned the meeting at 2:26 PM.




_______________________________________
Representative Paul Marquart, Chair



_______________________________________
Paul Cumings, Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..

Formal presentation about property taxes in Minnesota, followed by public testimony.
More Info On This Meeting..

Formal presentation about property taxes in Minnesota, followed by public testimony.
More Info On This Meeting..

Formal presentation about property taxes in Minnesota, followed by public testimony.