Morgan County Commission
77 Fairfax Street, Suite 101 Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 Telephone: (304) 258-8540 FAX: (304) 258-7305 |
Board of Equalization
Meeting Minutes
February 18, 2009
Members Present: Thomas R. Swaim, Brenda J. Hutchinson, and Stacy A. Dugan
The meeting was opened by Debra Kesecker, County Clerk, at 9:32 a.m.
Administration
The County Commission will hold a budget request meeting for Morgan County Government Offices on March 3, 2009. The Commission secretary will inform the offices and schedule appointments as needed.
Tom Costantino
Mr. and Mrs. Costantino approached the Board of Equalization regarding their property in Rock Gap District. After discussing and reviewing Mr. Costantino’s homeowners insurance policy, the Commission agreed the appraised value is close to the amount stated on the insurance policy and therefore, the assessment cannot be lowered. Mr. Costantino may contact the State Assessor’s Office.
Reed Michael
Mr. Michael approached the Board of Equalization concerning his 1.0246 acre parcel in Bath District. Mr. Reed presented a copy of his homeowners insurance to the Commission. After reviewing the policy and discussing the assessment with the Assessor and his staff, the Assessor’s staff agreed to change the factor on Mr. Michael’s house to lower the assessment. The Assessor’s staff will also change the land value on the assessment which will lower the assessment amount. The Assessor’s staff will follow up with a telephone call to Mr. Michael regarding the new assessment.
Richard Merico
Mr. Merico approached the Board of Equalization concerning his assessment of a 100 year old 2 story farmhouse on 1.6 acre parcel in Timber Ridge District. Mr. Merico did not have his homeowners insurance policy to present to the Commission. The
Commission and the Assessor and his staff discussed the assessment and the Assessor’s staff agreed to change the assessment to an average grade which lowered the assessment from $128,200.00 to $123,100.00. The Assessor’s staff explained to Mr. Merico the land tables have risen and the county modifer has increased, which is creating higher assessments. The Assessor’s staff also explained to Mr. Merico that his property is graded at a D grade, the lowest grade and the Assessor’s staff cannot lower it any more. The Commission explained to Mr. Merico without providing his homeowners insurance policy, the Commission had no way of comparing the assessment to the value of his property and therefore, could not lower it.
The Commission adjourned for lunch at 12:00 noon.
The Commission reconvened after lunch at 2:00 pm to travel to Paw Paw, WV for Board of Equalization meetings.
Brown Norton
Mr. Norton approached the Commission regarding his assessment in the Cacapon District. Mr. Norton was concerned about the increase in his assessment. Mr. Norton explained to the Commission his land has a steep incline. The Commission reviewed the assessment and explained to Mr. Norton the assessment on his land is the lowest grade possible, and the Commission cannot lower the assessment. The Commission agreed to ride to Mr. Norton’s residence and report to the Assessor’s office to see if any changes to the assessment can be met. The Assessor’s office will follow up with a telephone call to Mr. Norton.
Alton Wolfe
Mr. Wolfe approached the Commission to discuss his 5 properties. The first property discussed was the hardware store he owns in Paw Paw , the Assessor’s staff had already changed the classification from industrial to commercial. Mr. Wolfe was satisfied with the change.
Mr. Wolfe discussed his second property. It was a 28x60 doublewide mobile home with a basement. Mr. Wolfe presented his homeowners insurance policy. After discussing the assessment, the Assessor agreed to have his staff review the assessment and change factors to get a lower assessment. Assessor’s staff will follow up with a phone call to Mr. Wolfe regarding the new assessment.
Mr. Wolfe discussed his third property with the Commission and Assessor. This property is a doublewide mobile home with a crawlspace. Mr. Wolfe presented his homeowners insurance policy for this property and the Commission reviewed it. The Assessor agreed to have staff review and lower the assessment. Assessor’s staff will give Mr. Wolfe a follow up telephone call stating the new assessment.
Mr. Wolfe discussed his remaining two properties with the Commission. He explained the two properties were land only. The Assessor’s office has made adjustments to these properties. The office will follow up with a telephone call to Mr. Wolfe. The Commission Secretary agreed to mail Mr. Wolfe back all copies of his paperwork.
James Ardinger
Mr. Ardinger approached the Commission concerning his property. He expressed his concern for the increase in the assessment on his property. After telephoning the Assessor’s office and speaking to staff, the staff pulled Mr. Ardinger’s information and reviewed it. The Assessor’s staff agreed to change the grade on his house which will drop his assessment to $321,360.00. Mr. Ardinger will get a follow up letter stating the new assessment.
Della Leach
Ms. Leach approached the Board of Equalization regarding her assessment. After discussing the assessment and noticing some errors in the paperwork, the Commission and Assessor agreed to have the Assessor’s office contact Ms. Leach regarding her assessment.
Walk-Ins
The Commission received walk-ins at the Paw Paw Board of Equalization meeting. The Commission Secretary took their names and phone numbers, and the Assessor’s office will follow up with a telephone call regarding their assessments. Below is a list of names:
Ms. Dorothy Shambaugh
Mrs. William Lewis
Mr. Ray Fishel
The meeting in Paw Paw ended at 5:00 p.m. and the Commission returned to Berkeley Springs, WV
Upcoming Meetings
February 24, 2009 @2:00 p.m.
County Commission / Board of Equalization Meeting
Morgan County Meeting Room
February 25, 2009 @9:30 a.m.
Special Meeting concerning Personnel Matter
Executive Session
Morgan County Meeting Room
February 26, 2009 @9:30 a.m.
Board of Equalization Meeting
Morgan County Meeting Room
February 27, 2009 @9:30 a.m.
Board of Equalization Meeting
Morgan County Meeting Room
February 28, 2009 @9:00 a.m.
Board of Equalization Meeting
Morgan County Meeting Room
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