More of Main Event

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
March 9

Additional Comments from Stevenson and Roper (who attended the meeting with Bos at County Assesor's office).

Stevenson:

• The motivation for the County to do reassessment was the State requirement for property to be assessed at 95% of market value, if the County does not adhere there is the possibility the State could take over the County assessment process (the Assessor cited examples where in fact this has been done).
• Once you "open your case" (with Assessor) it is open, meaning the assessor/appraiser and Board of Equalization can increase your assessment over the current proposed.  (Alderman Finn actually was involved in a case where this happened.

Roper:

• She shared with Assessor the background of WL including the fact that we had the reputation of "litigation lake" and she opined "there will be litgation" regarding the assessment issue.

Bos:

• Regarding impact on city taxes/levy he said, "I think we can go up to the same amount as last year plus cost of living".
• Jerry estimated the income to the City via taxes is roughly "$9.85 per $100. (He came to this via a rambling and difficult to understand soliloquy on the various sources of tax revenue to the city).
• It was during this ramble (Jerry loves a crowd) that he took special effort to make a reference to "that Idiot at the Landmark".  This is in regard to, I presume, a piece written by Ivan Foley at the Landmark that discussed the road sales tax issue just voted on this month.  Jerry felt the need to engage but then recalled advice he once received from an attorney, "never pick a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel"  Of course he took the opportunity to call him an "Idiot" in a public forum and on the record...so Ivan, have at it.  http://www.mediabistro.com/10000words/ink-by-the-barrel-on-the-internet_b11933
• Various comments from the peanut gallery, in the end, pretty much the same, how unfair the process is.  Bob Campbell seems to be heading up an ad hoc group to fight the process, and requested use of the Community Center (for free) for a town meeting on the subject.  The Mayor and City Clerk replied it would have to be rented, for as low as $30, based on time of day/week.  Verlin Boes volunteered to ante up the $30.
• In the crowd was Don Hoy, presumably to watch Mary get her sendoff from the BOA.  Of interest, for those inquiring minds, Mr Hoy is currently President of the Board of Equalization...yep the BOE is the body where your appeal may end up in July.   

So after all the huffing and puffing, with this portion of the BOA meeting finished there was a mass exodus from the Hall, leaving me and Holli Payne to endure the rest of the meeting...which did have some interesting information...which you can read, right here, starting tomorrow.

If your neighbor has questions regarding the assessment here in WL...forward them to this blog, right?