06.a1 Draft minutes 04-14-2025 Board of AppealApril 14, 2025
A special meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date, in the Council Chambers
of the Scandia Community Center. Mayor Steve Kronmiller called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
The following were present: Council members Jim Gribble, Kirsten Libby, and Mayor Steve
Kronmiller. Absent: Council members Jerry Cusick and Mike Lubke. Staff present: City Assessor
Patrick Poshek, City Administrator Kyle Morell and City Clerk Brenda Eklund.
The purpose of the meeting was to conduct the annual Board of Appeal and Equalization for 2025,
for taxes payable in 2026.
Assessor Poshek made opening comments about the assessment process. The sales that occurred
between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024 are used to establish the January 2, 2025 assessed
values. The Board has the power to make adjustments, as long as the changes are not more than 1%
of the total value of the city. Poshek noted that Scandia’s increase overall for residential properties is
3.8%.
The Council heard information presented by the following property owner who appeared in person.
• Rod Negus, owner of 23120 Melanie Trail N. (Parcel ID 04.032.20.33.0010). Said there is a 9%
increase to the valuation. The home is in a degraded condition, with no improvements in the past
year to justify an increase. Negus said this is the worst lot on the lake due to the steep lake access
and poor shoreline. Negus said there was a 2.7% increase last year on this property. There were
numerous updates to a house next door that has a smaller 6% increase to valuation, and this
seems inequitable to him.
Assessor Poshek explained the County’s adjustments to lake properties based on the market as
highly desirable. Poshek noted that all the properties around Bone Lake will be re-evaluated this
year for 2026 assessments payable in 2027. Poshek recommended applying the city’s average
increase of 3.8% to this property.
Kronmiller, seconded by Gribble, moved to reduce the valuation of Parcel ID
04.032.20.33.0010 from $434,600 to $413,900. Motion carried 3-0.
• Rod Negus, owner of 23350 Melanie Trail N. (Parcel ID 05.032.20.14.0007). Said this property
has a 12% increase in valuation; however the septic is failing, the windows and siding are old.
Negus said he couldn’t sell the property without a septic replacement which would cost $40,000.
Assessor Poshek noted that the land increased $53,000 over last year, and offered a reduction of
$40,000 for the cost of a septic system replacement.
Gribble, seconded by Libby, moved to reduce the valuation of Parcel ID 05.032.20.14.0007
from $620,400 to $580,400. Motion carried 3-0.
No further appeals were heard.
Assessor Poshek presented his list of Assessor Recommendations for Changes as follows:
April 14, 2025
Scandia City Council
Page 2
• Milo Horak, 21080 Olinda Trail, Commercial building. Measurements from Washington County
were inaccurate and the building has condition issues, with the north side in rough shape and
deteriorating. Poshek recommended no change and will work with the County on a valuation
change. Mr. Horak will appeal at the County next month. Kronmiller, seconded by Libby,
moved to make no change to valuation for 21080 Olinda Trail. Motion carried 3-0.
• Terry Koenigs, PID 28.032.20.14.0005. Owner filed to change classification from Residential to
Agriculture by adding more pasture land, also boards horses. Council member Libby disclosed
that she worked with Mr. Koenigs on the filing and will abstain. Kronmiller, seconded by
Gribble, moved to approve a classification change from Residential to Agriculture and to
reduce valuation from $662,100 to $625,500 for Parcel 28.032.20.14.0005. Motion carried 2-
0. Libby abstained.
• Steve Engstrom, PID 35.032.20.23.0004. Recommended a change in classification and valuation.
Kronmiller, seconded by Gribble, moved to approve a classification change from
Residential to Agriculture and to reduce valuation from $641,800 to $615,100 for Parcel
35.032.20.23.0004. Motion carried 2-0. Libby abstained.
• Steve & Lori Engstrom, PID 34.032.20.14.0009. Change from Rural Vacant Land to Agriculture
and reduce valuation. Gribble, seconded by Kronmiller, moved to approve a classification
change from Rural Vacant Land to Agriculture and reduce valuation from $158,400 to
$140,600 for Parcel 34.032.20.14.0009. Motion carried 2-0. Libby abstained.
• Greg & Denise Zauner, PID 11.032.20.11.0007: Unique property of 10 acres, some wetland
areas. Poshek said the value is not right and adjusted the building down. Kronmiller, seconded
by Libby, moved to approve a reduction in valuation from $469,600 to $455,300. Motion
carried 3-0.
• Milo Horak, PID 14.032.20.34.0028 at 21070 Olinda Trail N. Poshek said commercial land value
is less in the downtown area, and there is an incorrect value on a substandard lot. Kronmiller,
seconded by Gribble, moved to approve a reduction in valuation from $244,400 to $169,400
for Parcel 14.032.20.34.0028. Motion carried 3-0.
The Board determined that a continuation meeting would not be required.
Kronmiller, seconded by Gribble, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 3-0.
The meeting adjourned at 6:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
City Clerk