COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

EQUALIZATION AND APPORTIONMENT COMMITTEE

 

April 7, 2006

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:           Jim Moore, Chair; Don Cooper and Scott Shackleton,

 

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

 

OTHERS PRESENT:               Sharon Kennedy, Equalization Director

 

Agenda Item:  Approval of the Agenda

 

It was moved by Commissioner Shackleton and seconded by Commissioner Cooper to approve the agenda as presented. 

 

Agenda Item:  2006 County Equalized Values.

 

Equalization Director Kennedy presented the 2006 County Equalized Values.  She explained that the values presented on the report are the basis for completing the State required forms which must be completed and sent to the State before the end of April. The equalization process and the valuations presented were discussed in detail.  It was explained also that the assessed values are equalized before taxable values can be calculated for the county.  It was further explained that pursuant to PA 512 of 2005, all of the “PILT” properties owned by the State of Michigan, and commonly known as “State Ag” property was shifted off of the ad valorem assessment roll onto a new roll, and that as the State of Michigan is one of the County’s top ten taxpayers, therefore the equalized ad valorem value of agricultural property in the County decreased significantly.  These properties will continue to be taxed on the special roll, but only at the 2004 tax rates.  Additional work will have to be put forth to maintain and monitor this special roll. 

 

It was moved by Commissioner Cooper and seconded by Commissioner Shackleton  that the equalized values as presented by Equalization Director Kennedy be adopted as reported and that all state required forms be regarding same be completed and filed as required by statute. 

 

On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

                                     

Agenda Item:  Continuing Education

 

Equalization Director Kennedy explained that staff members will be attending annual required continuing education classes in June, which may necessitate the office closing for one or possibly two days in order to accommodate staff.  She explained that we are fortunate to have the opportunity to attend these classes locally instead of traveling and incurring larger expenses to attend the required classes.  Every effort to reduce the time away from the office will be made.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Shackleton and seconded by Commissioner Cooper that reasonable measures may be taken during the trainings, including closing during lunch hours, to allow staff required breaks, etc., while office is short staffed due to staff members attending classes, but any full day closures would only occur after advising the commission.

 

On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

                                                                                     

Agenda Item:  Other items of concern

 

The Commissioners  and Chairman Moore discussed the schedule for processing Tax Rolls, the steps necessary, and the additional work load placed on staff, particularly since the office lost a 25-hour-per-week-part-time person in 2005.  Increasing staff hours through the end of the year to 40 hours per week would be much less expensive and save training time for the additional staff.  The cost for increasing the hours would be less than $10,000. 

 

It was determined that the matter of increasing staff hours to 40 hours per week for the rest of the year be forwarded to the finance committee for its review.

 

Commission Comments

There were no additional comments from the Commission.

 

Adjourn

 

The meeting was adjourned at 5:47 pm.