HomeMy WebLinkAbout20081557.tiff Minutes _
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL-
April 21, 2008
The Weld County Council met in regular session in full conformity with the Weld County
Home Rule Charter, Monday, April 21, 6:30 p.m., at the Weld County Southwest Service
Complex, 4209 WCR 24 '/, Longmont, CO.
ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by President Ginny Buczek. Vice
President John Kivimaki, Councilman Gene Stille, Councilwoman Nancy Teksten and
Councilman Don Mueller were present, constituting a quorum of the members. Also
present was Chris Woodruff, Jon Troyer, Sharon Hopper, Earl Bengland, Darrell Walsh,
Ed Henson, Robert Gagnon, Ursula Morgan and Karla Ford, council secretary.
AGENDA APPROVAL: President Buczek added the following to the Agenda —Work
Session and Executive Session to review Secretary's evaluation. Councilman Kivimaki
made a motion to approve the agenda with the additions and Councilwoman Nancy
Teksten seconded the motion and it passed.
REVIEW PROGRAM:
A packet of general information was distributed to the Council. This included: Abstract
of Assessment, Senior Property Tax Exemption in Colorado and the Short Form,
Understanding Property Taxes in Colorado and Code of Ethics, which was adopted in
January 2008.
The Assessor went over the job responsibilities of the department: discover and list all
property in Weld County, fairly estimate property values, not taxes, market data
proceeds from the sales of individual properties and sale prices come from the
negotiations of buyers and seller for a specific property, as recorded in the public
record. Actual values are based on complex mass appraisal models and statutory
requirements.
Property values in 2008 are based on market data from a specific time period, which is
January 2005 through June 2006. The taxes are calculated using values and mill
levies.
Appraise property values every two years. Only properties that have had added values
or corrections will get a value notice.
The building permits are about '/4 of what they were two years ago.
Property Tax Revenue that is generated (all districts): 2007 there was $310 Million vs.
$110 Million in 1995. These funds go to the following areas: 42% to schools, 24% to
the county, 8% to Special districts, 8% Jr. College (Aims CC), Cities get 9%, Fire
districts gets 7%, Sanitation districts get less than 1%, Water districts gets 2% and Soil
districts get less than 1%.
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2008-1557
Weld County Council Minutes
April 21,2008
Page 2 of 4
Re-appraisal 2007-2008 —All property reappraised to 6/30/06 date and sales from
1/1/05 - 6/30/2006 are used. State law prohibits the use of any data after 6/30/06 in the
2007/2008 appraisals.
Value changes 2006 -2008: Commercial property is very strong at this time.
Value issues for 2008 - Oil and gas (trending down), non reappraisal year (no market
changes), new construction (trending up but slowing), personal property (increased
exemption).
Personal Protest 2008 — Protest must be based on date from 2005 and 1st half of 2006.
Contact the Assessor's Office in writing, email or by appointment in person between
May 1st and June 2, 2008. The Assessor's office will send a written notice of the
decision by June 30, 2008.
Countywide basis — Mr. Woodruff gave an example of changes in average and median
sales prices for residential homes. January 2005 — June 2006 Average was $233,500
and medium was $196,000. In July 2006 — December 2007 average was $226,200 and
medium $195,000. Some areas are of great concern — but the county is doing well on
home markets. There were 9,900 sales since July 2007 vs. 900 foreclosures.
In 2007, some of the spikes in foreclosures were lots in neighborhoods that went into
foreclosure. Kersey, Lochbuie and Evans made it a spike. Foreclosure properties are
selling about 14% less than those regular properties in these neighborhoods.
2007 Property Assessment Study —Weld County is in full compliance with all statutory,
procedural and statistical requirements as set forth by the State Board of Equalization.
2008 Legislation (pending) —There are four measures that are coming up in legislation:
Business Personal property— a business pays an amount on the business office
equipment/furniture. It is currently $2500 but this would raise it to $4000. Which means
the yellow form would not need to be completed.
Senior Exemption — concurrent resolutions because they would change the state
constitution. It would allow the senior to move once to downsizing and carry the
exemption with them.
Mobile Home — make the administration more streamlined. This has passed and it is
awaiting the governor to sign it. This will make paperwork easier.
Renewable Energy— less than 2 megawatts of power. This would transfer evaluation
from state to local areas.
There is a link to the Assessor's website through www.co.weld.co.us. This website
contains property information, assessor data, abstracts, certifications of value, annual
mill levy reports, complete property database, complete property database, searchable
sales (for land and buildings), property record cards (historical), forms (including
exemption applications) and property tax procedures.
Weld County Council Minutes
April 21,2008
• Page 3 of 4
A local resident asked about the Pioneer Communities - how do they get the money
from the special districts? Answer - One does not pay for the special district tax unless
they live in the special district.
President Buczek did suggest to Mr. Woodruff to put a tutorial on the website on how to
use the website for his area.
SHORT RECESS
APPROVAL OF DOCUMENTATION:
March 17, 2008 Minutes
Councilman Stille made a motion to approve the March 17, 2008 council minutes. The
motion was seconded by Councilman Kivimaki and carried.
1st Quarter Report to the People
Councilman Stille made a motion to approve the 1st quarter Report to the People. The
motion was seconded by Councilman Kivimaki and carried.
OLD BUSINESS:
Resolution 168
Councilman Kivimaki made a motion to adopt Resolution 168 — Request to Board of
County Commissioners changes in wording in the Home Rule Charter Sections 3-15(2),
13-9(4), (6), (8) and (9). The motion was seconded by Councilman Stille and adopted
with a unanimous roll call vote.
NEW BUSINESS:
Press Release — Petitions for 2008 Ballots
President Buczek requested the secretary add the dates the petitions can be circulated.
This release will be reviewed by Bruce Barker before going to news media.
Correspondence — Bill Pelissier
An email from Bill Pelissier was sent to the Council regarding old buildings available in
this area. The council requested this letter to be forwarded to the Board of County
Commissioners, Planning Department and the Greeley Downtown Board.
The council was reminded of the upcoming meetings/invitations: 4/23 —Work Session
with Board of County Commissioners, 5/9 — Health Disparities Town Hall Meeting in Ft.
Lupton and 5/13 — DJ Basin Energy Expo.
Payment of the Bills
Councilman Kivimaki made a motion the bills to be paid as listed with the correction to
his mileage.
Mileage for Council President Ginny Buczek $ 13.10
Mileage for Council Vice President John Kivimaki $ 43.65
Mileage for Councilman Gene Stifle $ 41.23
Mileage for Councilwoman Nancy Teksten $ 38.80
Mileage for Councilman Don Mueller $ 12.46
Weld County Council Minutes
April21,2008
Page 4 of 4
Longmont Times-Call Subscription Renewal $216.00
PS Trophies—Name Tags for D. Mueller $ 14.50
HP Laser Printer Cartridge for Office $ 97.92
Greeley Tribune Subscription Renewal $151.00
The motion was seconded by Councilman Stille and approved with a unanimous roll call
vote.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Councilman Kivimaki made a motion to have the group meet in executive session for
the purpose of conducting an employee evaluation pursuant by C.R.S. 24-6-402
(4)(f)(I). Councilwoman Teksten 2nd the motion and it passed.
ADJOURNMENT: By acclamation the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
May 19, 2008 Ginn ucz , President
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Ka a Ford, Council Secretary
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