Tax Season for 2012-Is Your Property Valued Correctly?

Brad Meier, OACCT president/CEO As properties have been assessed and Notice of Valuation and Classification statements have been sent, now is your opportunity to review your 2012 property’s market value for accuracy. Do your research If you’re unsure on the taxable figure, “do your research first,” states the Minnesota Property Tax Division. Begin by contacting our county’s assessor’s office (444-7435 or assessor@co.steele.mn.us). -Verify information about your property like dimensions, age and condition of the structure. -Review records to determine the market value of similar property in the area. -Check real estate ads in the local paper or online to get an idea of the asking price on local properties. -Ask the assessor to explain the criteria used for classifying your property. Appealing your assessment You have the right to appeal your market value estimate and/or property classification if you feel your property is: -Classified improperly -Valued at an amount higher that you could sell your property for. -Valued at a different level from similar property in your area. Both the Steele County Assessor’s Office and the Minnesota Property Tax Division strongly recommend talking to the assessor first to discuss a change in your assessment. If you and the assessor are unable to agree, formal methods of appeal are available. Local Board of Appeal and Equalization You can start with your local board of appeal (i.e. township or city officials). Township meeting dates are posted at Owatonna.org/appeal dates. The city of Owatonna is meeting Monday, April 25th at 7 PM at the City Administration Building. County Board of Appeal and Equalization If you are not satisfied with the decision of the township or city decision, you can appeal to the County Board of Appeal and Equalization. This board is set to meet on June 16, at 4:30 PM at the Steele County Administration Center Boardroom. Minnesota Tax Court You have until April 30th for the year the tax becomes payable to appeal your assessment to the Minnesota Tax Court (i.e. April 30, 2012 to appeal for 2012 taxes). For the fact sheet on these steps or for the Property Tax Administrator’s manual, visit our homepage links entitled Tax Valuation Fact Sheet and Property Tax Administrator’s Manual at http://www.owatonna.org/.

March 2011 Talk of the Town

Chamber President Brad Meier reviews property tax assesment statements, economic development opportunities with existing buildings, upcoming conventions and shows, state legislature wins, and flower basket program.

Member guest: Steve Stoykovich with Stoyk's Plumbing Geo Thermal Heating and Cooling

Appx. 17 min.
MP3 File

County Board Notes-March 22, 2011

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2011 is for volunteers from the Public Policy committee attend both City and County meetings and report back on items that are of interest/concern to business.

There was a lengthy presentation by a representative from MCIT which is essentially an intergoverntmental insurance pool handling risk, property, workers' comp and other insurance related products. The representative complimented the county for being proactive and enacting policies that have reduced costs to the taxpayers.

Contracts where approved for various road maintenance supplies and repairs to be made this season.

Permits where approved for Oak Glen Wind Farm to build a temporary construction yard and put up a meteorological tower.

There was discussion about maintenance and upgrade needs at the courthouse, primarily the need for a new generator.

William Effertz was approved as the new Assessor/Commercial Appraiser. The original appointment was going to be for one year, but a motion was passed to maintain the dual responsibilities indefinitely.

Les Abraham presented the board with our State of Emergency declaration which essentially allowed us to make sandbags available at no charge.

Flooding Information Form

Information and links from MN DEED on potential flooding and form for affected businesses.

As Minnesota moves into spring, the state and DEED are preparing for the potential for flooding.
Should flooding occur, we've created the attached form to help assist in our disaster recovery efforts. This form is NOT an application for assistance, but will strictly serve as a means for DEED to gather information in a consistent format for any affected businesses in your area. The form is available here.

In the event of a disaster, we ask each community to please be prepared to have these forms available for affected businesses to fill out.

The form can also be filled out electronically at: www.surveygizmo.com/s/489528/mktqc.

We've also attached a DEED Disaster Recovery fact sheet, which provides some basic information on programs available in case of disaster, as well as DEED regional contacts, should you need to reach a DEED employee. To access the fact sheet, click here.

As we move closer to the potential of floods, you can also stay up-to-date on information at the state disaster recovery website: www.MinnesotaRecovers.org

Doing Business with Government

Have you ever thought about doing business with local, city, county, state, or federal government? Think of all of the services and goods required - from websites, cleaning supplies, training, furniture, transportation, national defense projects to even simple things like pencils and paperclips… Government contacts are a great way to grow, expand, or diversify your existing business to generate more revenue! However, there are basic requirements and some strategic business planning that will need to take place, much like any other business venture, in order to make sure your business is positioned to obtain, maintain, and execute successful contracts. BusinessConnection can help you get started!

Through the Department of Commerce, Minnesota's Procurement and Technical Assistance Program (PTAC) offers all Minnesota business the opportunity to identify new and existing market opportunities. PTAC will also advise, assist, and prepare businesses and minority businesses with required applications, certifications, and registrations necessary in order to coordinate the next steps. In addition to business meetings with new and existing clients, workshops, events, networking, awards, and other opportunities are made available Statewide. Minority owned businesses are encouraged to apply.

For more information, click here!

Leading the Way on Job Creation

Leading the Way on Job Creation
By Doug Loon
VP Regional Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

While lawmakers in Washington have been busy creating a regulatory tsunami, Minnesota is working to calm the storm.

A recent bill passed by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Dayton streamlines the state’s permitting process and assists responsible businesses who want to locate or expand in Minnesota.

This important action by the state of Minnesota comes as the U.S. Chamber releases a new study that identifies the economic impact and jobs that could be created in 49 states if the regulatory red tape and permitting delays were removed from stalled energy projects.

“With this piece of legislation, Minnesota is leading the way on improving the permitting process,” said William Kovacs, U.S. Chamber senior vice president of Environment, Technology and Regulatory Affairs. “In Minnesota alone, our study identified five stalled energy projects that are costing the state’s economy $12.8 billion in GDP and 21,100 jobs a year during the construction phase. No longer will Minnesota businesses be subject to the ‘green-tape’ bureaucracy in which some environmental activists and their allies use every resource at their disposal to block, delay, or cancel job-creating clean energy projects.”

The U.S. Chamber’s groundbreaking study, Project Denied: The Potential Economic Impact of Permitting Challenges Facing Proposed Energy Projects, identifies 351 stalled energy projects nationwide that in aggregate are costing the American economy $1.1 trillion in GDP and 1.9 million jobs a year during the construction phase alone. The study is part of the Chamber’s larger Project No Project initiative, which catalogs energy projects that have been delayed or stopped by a chaotic permitting process.

The business community has long recognized the need for sensible regulations to ensure workplace safety, guarantee worker rights, and protect public health. While many regulations have a positive impact, many others are outdated, ineffective, overly complicated, and counterproductive. In fact, the Small Business Administration puts the total price tag of complying with federal regulations alone at $1.75 trillion in 2008. That amounts to $15,500 for each U.S. household.

It’s our hope other states and the federal government will follow Minnesota’s lead and act now to remove unreasonable regulations and project obstacles so America can remain competitive with the rest of the world.
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Doug Loon manages the U.S. Chamber’s regional operations from his office in the Twin Cities. To learn more about the U.S. Chamber visit their website at www.uschamber.com. To learn more about the Projects No Projects initiative, to http://pnp.uschamber.com/

City Board Notes-March 1, 2011

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2011 is for volunteers from the Public Policy committee attend both City and County meetings and report back on items that are of interest/concern to business.

Public Hearing held regarding street improvements for 2011, including the following
1. 24th Ave from Bridge ST. to Hwy 14 resurface. State aid project with approximately $323052 in assessments and additional State Aid. City funds of $79448. A 15% up charge by the City for Engineering costs.
2. 28th ST NW, new road for the nursing facility off of the frontage road. Uses $100,000 city funds and $80,000 other funds.

Financial Report
$123392 Total Expenditures Presented for Approval. Noted by Councilman Wittrock to be one of the lowest amounts he could recall.
$7500 for US Highway 14 Partnership.

Consent Agenda
1. OPU minutes from January 25 meeting. Discussion of City and OPU purchasing more houses along South Walnut Ave, with half of the cost from a DNR grant. Contributed services by OPU has been increasing as a percent of revenue since 20006. OPU would like to purchase two properties near the new Highway 14 interchange for future economic development for the City of Owatonna.
2. April 25th 2011 at 7pm is the date and time for the Board of Appeal and Equalization for City of Owatonna (property taxes payable in 2012), to be held at Council Chambers.

Other items:
1. Storm water Programs regarding Rain Gardens.
2. Personnel policy regarding HSA account item was tabled at request of Councilman Moen.
3. DNR flood grants
4. Second reading regarding Sewer and water connections and planting trees in boulevards.