Courtroom IT Update and proposal
The initial ask: Upgrade all 3 courtrooms tech for a total of $289,044.66
- County = $189,818.05
- State: $99,496.61
The revised ask based on changes requested by Rice Co Attorney’s office
- All 3 courtrooms: $289,044.66 + $10,000 ($299,044.66)
- County = $189,818.05 + $4,000 ($193,818.05) **
- State: $99,496.61 + $6000 ($105,496.61)
Questions:
- Underdahl: Would prefer that the state pay for the first year’s work, and Rice Co could cover its costs in the second year, because the County didn’t include this in its budget for this year.
- A: That is something that we could try to work with.
- Malecha: Why is the county paying for so much of this?
- A: Historically, the state has paid for the state’s portion, $100k, for buying the equipment, and then the county is responsible for those that are the court’s responsibilities, such as shipping and facilities related expenses.
- Hoisington: Were there multiple bids?
- A: IT supervisor spoke: We use the same vendor for all projects because they’re used in all 11 counties in the district, so there are consistent equipment.
- Hoisington: Is there competition?
- A: We have worked with this vendor in this district and through the state. And
- Hoisington: How will we pay for this?
- Sara Folsted: It will end up being a reserve draw, because there’s already too much pressure on the levy.
- Docken: It’s another unfunded mandate, and I don’t question the need, but I question where the money is coming from. Even if it’s reversed, $200k state, $100k county, I’m not sure that’s a fair split. We didn’t budget for this. Let’s go back to staff to find out if there is negotiating to be done regarding how much the county pays.
- Malecha: Unfortunately, the need needs to be paid. Guessing the formula is pretty set in stone in court District 3.
- A: Yes.
- Malecha: Not sure there is much wiggle room. Going to have to take it back to the board for a decision. In the meantime, it’s up to Sara Folsted to determine how we’re going to pay for it. I don’t like using reserves, but we do need to move forward.
- Sara Folsted: Maybe court
- Docken: Would like examples of how it’s done in other court districts. What are the splits.
- Malecha: Agree.
- Purfeerst: You want to do courtrooms 1 and 2 now, and push the last to ‘25. Is it going to cost another $25k if we wait?
- A: We think it will cost more, but sometimes it’s a necessary evil. The court district has the funding needed to do all three at the same time. Rooms 1 and 2 are jury courtrooms, 3 is not.
- Purfeerst: To me, it should be a 50/50 split.
- A: This was what all the judicial districts were doing at a point in the past when there was state funding. There isn’t state legislation that mandates what the split should be. There have been judicial districts that have moved away from the split we’re discussing here.
Assessor’s Office, Josh Schoen
- Homestead Market Value Exclusion Changes
- For taxes payable in 2024 the maximum exclusion amount is $30,400 for properties valued at $76,000, with no exclusion for properties valued over $413,800.
- For taxes payable in 2025 the maximum exclusion amount was increased to $38,000 for properties valued at $95,000, with no exclusion for properties valued over $517,200.
- Hoisington: Explain how homestead credit works
- A: As the property value increases, the exclusion gets less and less.
- If your property is worth $600k, you’ll be taxed at a higher rate for the value beyond $517.
- Purfeerst: There are more 20 acre lots. How is that impacted?
- A: It can be split into a homestead as residential and farm land with an ag classification.
- Hoisington: The homestead credit is becoming obsolete?
- A: There are fewer and fewer houses that qualify. The homestead exclusion just changes who pays the taxes, because if someone pays less taxes, someone else will have to pay more.
- Agricultural Homestead Tier Limit
- Docken: What would cause you to lose homestead credit?
- A: If your value goes over $2 million. Beyond that, you’re taxed at 1%. Last year, we saw tillable growing land increase by 30%. There will be more farmers that will see more homestead payable benefit in tax year 25.
- Purfeerst: Is there formula for keeping the homestead credit aligned with property value changes?
- A: There used to be a formula, so there isn’t that any more. If your property taxes go up by 12% or more, you can get a credit — but that’s for residential.
- Low Income Rental Housing (4d1)
- Class rate change
- 2023 payable 2024
- First $100,000/unit at 0.75%
- Over $100,000/unit at 0.25%
- 2024 payable 2025
- All Value at 0.25%
- Market Value Changes
- There is going to be a shift toward industry and rentals. There has been more new construction of apartments and commercial industrial projects than ever before in Rice County’s history. And for the first time Nothfield led the way with the most new construction spending.
- The number of sales are down, but the sale prices have continued to climb.
- Understanding the Appeals Process 2024 Assessment Payable 2025
- 1. Receive Valuation Notice in mid-March 2024
- 2. Contact County Assessor staff – Phone, email, counter, attend Open Book Meeting Verify property information, Schedule appointment to view /inspect property, Review sales data, Compare neighboring property values
- 3. Appeal to the Local Board of Appeal & Equalization (Forest, Shieldsville & Wells Townships) April 2024
- 4. Appeal to the County Board of Appeal & Equalization – June 20, 2024 5. Appeal to the Minnesota Tax Court – April 30, 2025
- Quintile inspections
- Minnesota Statute requires the assessor to physically inspect properties at least once in a five-year interval. The primary objective of the quintile review process is to maintain and improve data quality, integrity, and consistency. When appropriate conditions and technology are present, assessors may employ computer-assisted office reviews to comply with quintile requirements.
- Beacon Website Updates
- Total Visits in 2023 – 358,453 (982.06 Average Visits/Day)
- Data hub for property information in Rice County
- Many GIS layers – parcel lines, zoning, contours, air photos, etc.
- Download Property Tax Statements, Plats, Corner Certificates, etc.
- Property Reports – includes information used in our assessment Connections to other applications
- Air photo flight – Eagleview
- Last flight of 3-flight contract over 6 years (2019, 2021, 2023).
- Purchased using the Compliance Fund
- Eagleview ConnectExplorer– website for ortho & oblique imagery viewing (also on Beacon)
- Total of 63,886 image views in 2023 Assessor Department – 62,260 image views in 2023
- Purfeerst: Are you generating revenue?
- A: No, expect very small amounts for copy requests and such at the counter.
- Docken: Thanks. And a reminder that Josh does not set the homestead exclusion rates. And this is what we as commissioners get the most questions about.
Public Health: Tobacco Retailer Ordinance Discussion
- Continuation of discussion regarding updating of the Rice County Tobacco Retailer Ordinance. Initial discussion with Board on 3.19.24. Discussion is to determine Board recommendations for an ordinance update to comply with state minimum requirements, as well as other options to consider for inclusion in ordinance update.
- Goal would be for the county attorney’s office to draft ordinance language following this discussion.
- Tobacco Ordinance Chart was provided on paper. Image below
- Observer had to leave at 9:30 am before this discussion concluded
