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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairman Greenberg, Commissioners Muller, <br />Fults, Wagner, Ippel, Hardin and Gorecki. Voting No: None. Absent: <br />Commissioners Vevea and Kurak. <br /> <br />COMMISSION BUSINESS <br /> <br />Case #1: Subcommittee Reports: <br /> <br />a) Legislative Subcommittee - <br /> <br />Commissioner Muller stated that he has informed Representative Ernie Larsen <br />that this Commission will be contacting him regarding commercial property <br />taxes. Representative Larsen has indicated that the tax formula is being <br />redrafted in the next legislature session. <br /> <br />Case #4: Discussion Re~ardin& Commercial/Industrial Property Taxes: <br /> <br />Chairman Greenberg stated that local business owners have indicated that <br />the number one deterrent to economic development in Minnesota is the high <br />rate of commercial property taxes. <br /> <br />Motion by Commissioner Hardin and seconded by Commissioner Muller to form <br />a subcommittee to research if and why Ramsey's commercial/industrial <br />property taxes are higher than those of surrounding communities. <br /> <br />Further Discussion: Commissioner Ippel stated that time is of the essence; <br />the time to act is when a bill is being prepared rather than after it is <br />passed. Chairman Greenberg stated that there is not a great deal of <br />inequity with respect to Ramsey's commercial/industrial property taxes <br />versus those of other communities. Chairman Greenberg stated that high <br />commercial taxes are a state-wide concern and they deter companies from <br />constructing quality buildings. Commissioner Ippel stated that legislature <br />is operating on the misconception that businesses can afford the high taxes <br />because they will just pass the cost onto their customers; businesses can't <br />always pass the cost on because costs are also determined by supply and <br />demand; higher costs create less demand and fewer products sold. <br />Commissioner Fults stated that another item to be researched is if city <br />assessors are all going by the same formula when determining property <br />valuation. Commissioner Ippel noted that another concern of Ramsey <br />businesses is the level of services being provided for the amount of <br />dollars paid. <br /> <br />Commissioner Hardin and Commissioner Muller amended their motion as <br />follows: <br /> <br />Motion by Commissioner Hardin and seconded by Commissioner Muller directing <br />the Legislative Subcommittee, Chairman Greenberg and Commissioner Fults to <br />research how Ramsey's commercial/industrial property taxes relate to those <br />of surrounding communities. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairman Greenberg, Commissioners Muller, <br />Fults, Wagner, Ippel, Hardin and Gorecki. Voting No: None. Absent: <br />Commissioners Vevea and Kurak. <br />Economic Development Commission/October 14, 1987 <br /> <br />Page 3 of 6 <br />