LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY
BOARD OF APPEAL AND EQUALIZATION

JUNE 15, 2020

The Lake of the Woods County Board of Appeal and Equalization met on Monday, June 15, 2020, in the
Commissioners’ Room of the Lake of the Woods County Government Center.
CALL TO ORDER
County Board Chair Jon Waibel called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the following members
present: Commissioners: Cody Hasbargen, Jon Waibel, Joe Grund, Buck Nordlof and County Auditor-
Treasurer Lorene Hanson. Absent was Commissioner Ed Arnesen. Also present were: County Assessor
Mary Jo Otten, Assessment Specialist Alisa Jacobson and County Engineer AJ Pirkl. County Recorder Sue
Ney had sworn in the members of the Lake of the Woods County Board of Appeal and Equalization for
2020 on June 9, 2020.
County Board Chair Jon Waibel explained the purpose of the Board of Appeal and Equalization. He
reminded the public that this meeting was only to hear appeals of the estimated market value (EMV) or
classification, not for taxes or prior years’ assessments. He further explained that all appeals would be
heard before any action would be taken.
COUNTY ASSESSOR
County Assessor Mary Jo Otten explained that the valuation period is from sales during October 1, 2018
through September 30, 2019, and discussed adjustments that had been made during the past year. This year
the County did require appointments for the Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting and can end the
meeting prior to 7:00 p.m. if all appointments have been heard and addressed.
PROPERTY OWNERS
County Assessor Mary Jo Otten presented a list of property owners that had contacted her prior to the
meeting and her recommendations to the Board: See attachment.
Action
Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried
unanimously to accept the Lake of the Woods County Assessor’s recommendations for the parcels on the
attached list, which were presented to the Board of Appeal and Equalization.
COUNTY ENGINEER GRADE/STEP REVIEW
The Commissioners discussed the County Engineer’s salary, step and vacation time. The Commissioners
asked for these items to be put on the board meeting agenda for June 23, 2020.
ZIPPEL BAY JETTY APPROVAL OF LETTER
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and
carried unanimously to approve a letter from Lake of the Woods County and Lake of the Woods Soil and
Water Conservation District regarding channel maintenance for Zippel Bay Harbor on Lake of the Woods to
be sent to US Congressman Collin Peterson, MN Representative Matt Grossell, US Senators Amy
Klobuchar and Tina Smith, MN Senator Paul Utke and MN Governor Tim Walz.
ADJOURN
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen to adjourn the County Board of Appeal and
Equalization meeting for 2020. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and the same
being put to a vote, was unanimously carried. County Board Chair Jon Waibel adjourned the Lake of the
Woods County Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting for 2020 at 6:35 p.m.
Attest: Approved: June 23, 2020

Page 2 of 2

Lorene Hanson, County Auditor-Treasurer Jon Waibel, County Commissioner Board Chair