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Mr. Bash stated, in his City Council experience, he has been on both sides of road assessments. <br />good policy. <br /> <br />Mr. Bash stated Sunfish Boulevard was constructed in 1996, and Connexus worked with the City <br />of Ramsey when the development first opened. He added this is a unique situation in terms of <br />road reconstruction, because typically everything is already developed, with a range of properties <br />that are also being assessed. He noted, in this case, one parcel is undeveloped. <br /> <br />Mr. Bash stated the City of Ramsey has looked at all the options for assessing roads, including <br />% of the project <br />is paid for by the property owners. He added the remaining 75% should not have to be paid by <br />taxpayers who may or may not use the road. He noted, in any assessment scenario, the City must <br />show that the property increases in value by the amount of the assessment. <br /> <br />Mr. Bash stated assessed values of every property, as well as percent of assessed values, are <br />available on the Anoka County website. He added there are significant differences. He noted <br />ssessed at 5% of its value, as opposed to the other <br />properties which are assessed at 2%. He stressed the importance of equitable assessments, and <br />consideration of whether the 5% assessment is fair and in keeping with the spirit of the <br />Minnesota Statute. <br /> <br />Mr. Bash stated, from a real estate perspective, if a property were to be marketed with a pending <br />$40,000 assessment, a buyer would not pay the list price because the assessment is a detriment. <br />He added Connexus will not contest the assessment, but he stressed that this is a preliminary <br />situation, and open to possible change. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated the City Council is in a difficult position, attempting to determine <br />a fair policy for both commercial and residential property assessments. He added franchise fees <br />and other scenarios were reviewed. He agreed there will be an opportunity to adjust the <br />assessment accordingly when road construction is completed and a valuation is done. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated the preliminary assessment is based on square footage, which the <br />City Council has deemed fair a fair policy. He added the final assessment can be decided after <br />the valuation is received and reviewed, as well as comparable properties from similar cities. <br /> <br />Mr. Bash stated he disagrees with the assess <br />which is highest and best use. He added it is unfair as the property should be valued at its <br />current worth, and not what it might be worth someday, which makes a judgment about future <br />potential values. <br /> <br />Councilmember Johns <br />biggest consideration is the successful completion of a 60-year road, by which time there will be <br />advancement on the property as well as expansion and improvements. She added that since the <br />City is building roads for its future, the highest and best use decision comes into play. <br /> <br />Public Works Committee / September 19, 2017 <br />Page 3 of 11 <br /> <br />