06.a3 Draft Minutes 04-13-2026 Board of Appeals and EqualizationApril 13, 2026
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, Jerry Cusick, and Mayor
Steve Kronmiller. Councilmember Mike Lubke attended over Zoom. Staff present: City Assessor
Patrick Poshek, City Administrator Kyle Morell.
The purpose of the meeting was to conduct the annual Board of Appeal and Equalization for 2026,
for taxes payable in 2027.
Assessor Poshek made opening comments about the assessment process. The sales that occurred
between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, are used to establish the assessed values as of
January 2, 2026. The Board has the power to make adjustments, as long as the changes do not exceed
1% of the city's total value. Poshek noted that Scandia’s overall increase for residential properties is
1.6%.
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 his neighbors
pulled building permits to make improvements to their homes, and their increases in value were
smaller than his, which was $23,900. 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.
Assessor Poshek explained he visited every house on Bone Lake this year. The neighbors'
improvement Rob mentioned did not count toward 2026 values since the work was not
completed, but it will count toward 2027 values. He recommends no change, as he does not
believe the property is overvalued. Rod would like to see the property valued at $400,000
Cusick, seconded by Libby, moved to reduce the valuation of Parcel ID 04.032.20.33.0010
from $423,900 to $413,900, the 2025 valuation. Motion carried 4-0.
Pat Redig, 16099 209th St N (Parcel ID 04.032.20.33.0010). He had no concerns but attended the
meeting to learn about the process.
Kronmiller, seconded by Gribble, moved to make no change to the valuation of Parcel ID
04.032.20.33.0010. Motion Carried 4-0.
Bruce Anderson, 23499 Quentin Ave N. (Parcel ID 06.032.19.31.0002). Purchased the property
in 2022; since then, its value has increased significantly more than that of his neighbors. He
claims his property's value has increased by 11%, while his neighbors' values have increased by
only 3.27%. The assessor stated that the property's value was reduced from $748,000 to
$706,000 after he purchased it, based on an evaluation of the home's condition. Since then, the
owner has made improvements to the home, resulting in an increase in its value. Council
discussed the valuation changes from 2021 to 2026, and the differences in percentage increases
relative to neighboring properties.
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Scandia City Council
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Libby, seconded by Gribble, motioned to reduce the valuation of Parcel ID
06.032.19.31.0002 from $833,600 to $771,500. Motion Carried 4-0.
Patricia Wilkie, 21775 Manning Trail N, Parcel ID 18.032.20.21.0001. Here to learn and will
work with the assessor prior to the County Board meeting. She stated that she believes that
improvements that fix a home should maintain value, not increase it. That only additions to
the home should increase value.
Ellen St. Sauver, 22010 Oldfield Ave. N, Parcel ID 10.032.20.44.0001. Bought 115 acres in
1975 and has since acquired 10 additional neighboring parcels in Scandia, all of which are
farmed. Concerned about the decrease in the Green Acres program and the effect it would
have on her property. The assessor explained that the change in the Green Acres values are
based on farm sales in southwestern Minnesota and that the decrease in value is beneficial to
her property.
Kronmiller, seconded by Cusic, moved to make no change to the valuation of Parcel ID
10.032.20.44.0001. Motion Carried 4-0.
Chris Johnson, 20360 Manning Trail N. Parcel ID 19.032.20.32.0002. Stated he is concerned
about the increase in taxes over the past couple of years. The assessor noted his valuation
was decreased year over year from $530,000 to $504,000.
Gribble, seconded by Kronmiller, moved to make no change to the valuation of Parcel
ID 19.032.20.32.0002. Motion Carried 4-0.
No further appeals were heard.
Assessor Poshek presented his list of Assessor Recommendations for Changes as follows:
Debra Mitts Smith, PID 34.032.20.24.0005, The property is classified as Unimproved Land. The
assessor is recommending a reduction in value from $81,600 to $45,200, based on a review of the
property.
Kronmiller, seconded by Gribble, moved to approve the recommended reduction in value
from $81,600 to $45,200. Motion Carried 4-0.
Margaret Johnson, PID 18.032.19.13.0005, the property is classified as a seasonal cabin. The
assessor is recommending a reduction in the value from $203,400 to $151,300, based on a
reduction in land value due to loss in utility.
Kronmiller, seconded by Gribble, moved to approve the recommended reduction in value
from $203,400 to $151,300. Motion Carried 4-0.
Johnston Marital Trust, PID 20.032.20.42.0003, property is classified as Residential Non-
Homestead. The assessor is recommending a reduction in value from $920,500 to $674,500,
based on an appraisal submitted by the property owners.
Kronmiller, seconded by Gribble, moved to approve the recommended reduction in value
from $920,500 to $674,500. Motion Carried 4-0.
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Scandia City Council
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Tracy and Walter Miller, PID 31.032.20.13.0017, property is classified Residential Homestead.
The assessor is recommending a reduction in value from $82,800 to $58,800, based on the values
of neighboring properties.
Kronmiller, seconded by Gribble, moved to approve the recommended reduction in value
from $ 82,800 to $ 58,800. Motion Carried 4-0.
Elizabeth Morgan, PID 26.032.20.22.0003, property is classified Residential Homestead. The
assessor is recommending a reduction in value from $485,000 to $455,000 due to poor lake
access.
Kronmiller, seconded by Gribble, moved to approve the recommended reduction in value
from $485,000 to $455,000. Motion Carried 4-0.
Michelle St. Pierre, PID 20.032.20.42.0002, property is classified as a seasonal cabin. The
assessor is recommending a reduction in value from $755,700 to $586,200, based on an
inspection of the property.
Kronmiller, seconded by Gribble, moved to approve the recommended reduction in value
from $755,000 to $586,200. Motion Carried 4-0.
Andrew and Maryanne Obst, PID 06.032.20.34.0012, property is classified rural vacant land.
The assessor is recommending a reduction in value from $339,400 to $297,400, based on the
topography of the land.
Kronmiller, seconded by Liddy, moved to approve the recommended reduction in value
from $339,400 to $297,400. Motion Carried 4-0.
The Board determined that a continuation meeting would not be required.
The Council conducted one of five interviews for the open board seats on the Carnelian Marine Saint
Croix Watershed Board. Bret Maidl of 18677 Layton Ave N. interviewed before the Council. The
remaining applicants will interview on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Kronmiller, seconded by Gribble, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0.
The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kyle Morell
City Administrator