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Assessor's

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1. Will my Estimated Market Value go up if I repair my property?

Good maintenance will help retain the market value of your property. Generally, your Estimated Market Value will not be increased for individual minor repairs such as those that follow. However, a combination of several of these items could result in an increase in your Estimated Market Value. •Repairing a roof
•Repairing porches or steps
•Repairing original siding
•Painting/decorating
•Replacing plumbing or electrical fixtures

2. What if I don't let the assessor inside my house?

It is your right to decline an interior inspection. The assessor will then make reasonable estimations regarding the property's interior finish and quality. If you disagree with the resulting valuation the local board of review is not allowed to make any changes in your favor until you allow the assessor to inspect the property.

3. What can I do if I think the Estimated Market Value is too high?

You are encouraged to first contact your Assessor's Office and discuss the assessment with the appraiser for your property. You have the right to appeal the estimated market value. The methods of appeal are detailed on the back page of your estimated market valuation notice also known as your Valuation and Classification notice that is mailed to all property owners around March. The times to appeal are limited generally to the "Boards of Appeal" in April.

4. Why has my value gone up?

Property values are based on the typical sales prices which fluctuate with general market conditions such as the general economy, property locations, supply and demand, demographic changes, and changes in tax laws. Per Minnesota state laws, as property values change in the market place, those changes must be reflected in the assessor's Estimated Market Values.

5. How do I get my land surveyed?

Property owners may contact a surveyor by checking the local phone listings. Once a property is surveyed, it is strongly encouraged that the property owner provide a copy of the survey to the Assessor's office. A survey provides the best possible method to ensure an accurate assessment of your property. The county maintains a GIS map that is generally very accurate but it is not a survey.

6. What is the responsibility of the Assessor in the property tax system?

Assessors estimate property market value and classify them according to their use for property tax purposes. Each year the assessor reviews the market valuation of your property to determine if changes in the real estate market require a change in the estimated market value. Minnesota law requires that assessors actually view each parcel of real estate every five years to appraise its market value. In addition, each year the appraiser inspects parcels with new construction, alterations or improvements.

7. Does the Estimated Market Value increase at the same rate on all properties?

No, it does not. There are differences between individual properties and between neighborhoods. In one area the sales may indicate a large increase in value in a given year. In another neighborhood there may be very little or no change in value. Different types of property within the same neighborhood may show different value changes. There are numerous factors to be considered in each property, which will cause value changes to differ. Some of the factors that can affect value are location, condition, size, quality of construction, the number of baths, basement finish, garages, and many others.

8. How do I schedule a review of my property?

Please submit an e-mail to assessor@co.grant.mn.us an include your name, address, phone number, property address and parcel identification number. Include in the subject line " Review of my Property"

9. How are my Real Estate taxes determined?

Taxing jurisdictions such as the county, schools, cities, and townships, adopt their levy after public hearings. The levies are certified to the County Auditor who then calculates the tax rates. The taxes you pay are proportionate to your estimated market value and use classification on your property as observed by the Assessor's Office.

10. I haven't changed anything. Why do you have to come to my house?

State statute requires the assessor to physically review 20% of all property each year. This results in the assessor visiting your neighborhood every five years. The assessor is verifying that the currently existing information is accurate, and checking for any changes that may have been made to the property. Having accurate property information is critical when valuing and classifying property and contributes to a fair and equitable assessment for everybody.

11. What will happen to my Estimated Market Value if I improve my property?

Generally speaking, improvements that increase the market value of a property will increase the assessor's Estimated Market Value.

12. How is market value estimated?

The assessor visits your property to record the existence and character of improvements that contribute to its market value. The assessor collects sales information on all types of property, and studies characteristics such as location, size of the parcel, improvements and amenities that affect what buyers would pay for your property. Local sales will impact local values. The assessor uses actual sales of similar properties to estimate what buyers would pay for your property. (A single sale does not make a market.)

13. Who qualifies for Homestead?

To qualify for the homestead classification, you must: •occupy the property as your primary residence
•be one of the owners of the property or a relative
•be a Minnesota resident - items that must reflect the address of the homestead are voter registration, driver's licenses, income tax forms, and vehicle registration.

14. Can my Estimated Market Value change even if the assessor has not been inside my property?

Yes. The assessor keeps records on the physical characteristics of each property in the County. Even though the assessor may have been unable to go through your property, the Estimated Market Value will still be reviewed annually based on the existing records and/or sales of similar property.

15. How can I tell what city or township my property is in from my PIN?

The first two numbers indicate the jurisdiction (city or township) your property is located in. Following is the key:
01-Delaware Township
02-Elbow lake township
03-Elk Lake Township
04-Erdahl Township
05-Gorton Township
06-Land Township
07-Lawrence Township
08-Lien Township
09-Logan Township
10-Macsville Township
11-North Ottawa Township
12-Pelican Lake Township
13-Pomme De Terre Township
14-Roseville Township
15-Sanford Township
16-Stony Brook Township
17-Ashby City
18-Barrett City
19-Elbow Lake City
20-Herman City
21-Hoffman City
22-Norcross City
23-Wendell City

16. What is Estimated Market Value (EMV)?

It is the most probable price, as of a specified date, in cash, or in terms equivalent to cash, or in other precisely revealed terms, for which the specified property rights should sell after a reasonable exposure in a competitive market under all conditions requisite to fair sale, with the buyer and seller each acting prudently, knowledgeably, and for all self-interest, and assuming that neither is under undue duress. In summary, market value is the price that would tend to prevail under typical, normal, competitive open market conditions.

17. What is a Property Identification Number (PIN)?

It is a unique number assigned to each piece of real estate. The PIN, also knows as Parcel Number or Parcel Identification Number, is printed on the Property Tax Statement, the Valuation Notice, Proposed Tax Statement, and various other documents related to real estate taxation or assessment.

18. I have had fire or storm damage to my house. Should I contact the assessor's office?

Yes, however depending on the extent of the damage and when it is repaired, you may or may not see a value/tax change. (Remember, the assessment is based "as of January 2" of each year.)

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County Office Building

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1. What County offices would be in the new building?

Grant County Sheriff's Office, Social Services, Veteran's Service, Public Health and Human Resources.

2. What issues have influenced the County's decision on this project?

The short answer is limited office and storage space along with safety and security
concerns. For a longer overview of these issues. click on the link. County Space Issues

3. Why doesn't the County use the old Hospital building?

In 2013, the County Board had an office space needs assessment of multiple county agencies conducted by Leo A. Daly Architecture(Mpls). As part of this, Daly looked at the old hospital building and assessed what type of space and amount of space needed to fit the meeting room and office space needs of the proposed county offices. Daly also looked at the hospital building in terms of codes needs, asbestos removal, conversion needs and condition of the building. There was a strong desire by the Board not to consider building if we could renovate something within the community.
Unfortunately, based upon these professionally conducted assessments, it became apparent that it would be cost prohibitive to utilize the old hospital building. (See Facility Planning History Chart-Options A thru E)
This decision was also reinforced by the fact that Prairie Ridge built new rather than renovate the old Hospital.
Facility Planning History Chart link

4. What will happen to the vacated County buildings on Main street?

The vacated Social Services building would become the future home for Bargain Bazaar, which will lose it's present location if the new Office building is built. The vacated Land Management/Public Health building would be up for public sale.

5. Where does the money come from to purchase the land for the proposed building site?

There is money set aside within the Pre-Construction Costs of the Project Budget for land acquisition and demolition.

6. How does the County pay for any renovations and upgrades to the vacated Sheriff's Office.

There is no need to remodel the existing Sheriff’s office to accommodate the Grant County Land Management office staff that would possibly move into the existing Sheriff’s office space contingent on the bond referendum passage. The Grant County Courthouse is on the national register of historic places and any architectural renovations would have to be approved by the State Historic Preservation Office before going forward. We believe the existing floor plan can easily accommodate any future tenants, as is, without any expensive remodeling or renovations.

7. Where is the money coming from for the County Highway building addition?

The cost of the highway addition is being funded 63% state gas tax funds from our annual state aid construction allotment and 37% from a combination of road and bridge fund balance reserves which a few milder winters have helped with and from the prioritizing of this addition in our budget over equipment purchases.

There will be no tax increase resulting from this project.

8. How will this affect my property tax?

The tax impact of this project on an average home with an assessed value of $50,000 is between 50 cents and 75 cents per month or $6 to $8 per year. Even if agricultural land prices declined to the point that the tax impact of this project were to shift from agricultural land to residential property years into the future, thereby causing the tax impact of this project on residential homes to double, the residential property tax impact would increase by an additional 50 to 75 cents per month for a total residential property tax impact for this project of $1 to $1.50 per month.
The tax impact of this project on agricultural homestead property valued at $2.5 million(County Average) is between $278 and $382 per year based on a 30 and 20 year bond respectively.
The tax impact of this project on agricultural non-homestead property valued at $2.5 million(County Average) is between $480 and $658 per year based on a 30 and 20 year bond respectively.
To find how out how it affects your taxes, please go to the link below or go to the County Brochure and look at Tax Impact Chart. Tax Impact Chart(as of 8-31-16)

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Land Management

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1. How do I get a well certification?

Contact the MN Department of Health by clicking on the link to the right, Grant County does not do well certifications.

2. How do I obtain a burn permit?

Burn permits are issued through the Grant County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office can be reached by calling 218-685-8280.

3. Who do I contact to get approval to bury a building?

Contact the Grant County Coordinator’s Office for local approval as well as the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for a Permit by Rule to bury your building.

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Sheriff's Department

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1. Can I get a permit to carry a handgun in public?

The requirements for carrying a handgun are:

• Must have handgun training certificate
• $100 fee for a 5-year permit
• Must be eligible to possess a firearm

2. What are your civil process fees?

View a listing of our civic process fees online.

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Treasurer

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1. When will I receive my property tax statement?

Real Estate and Personal Property tax statements are mailed in March each year. The statutory deadline is March 31.

Manufactured Home tax statements are mailed in July each year. The statutory deadline is July 15.

2. When are property taxes due?

May 15 First half of the annual real estate and personal property tax payment (or entire amount if stated on your statement) is due.

August 31 First half of the annual manufactured home tax payment (or entire amount if stated on your tax statement is due.

October 15 Second half of the annual real estate and personal property tax payment is due (non-agricultural parcels only).

November 15 Second half of the annual real estate (agricultural parcels only) and manufactured home tax payment is due.

If the due date falls on a weekend, the payment is due the following business day. Payments mailed to our office must be postmarked on or before the tax due date.

3. Can I make a partial payment on my current year taxes?

The Grant County Treasurer's Office accepts payments of more or less than the exact amount of tax installment due for the current year. If the accepted payment is less than the amount due, it is applied first to the penalty accrued for the year that the payment is made (M.S. 277.01; 279.01, SUBD. 1)

4. What if my property tax payment is late?

If you pay your tax after the due dates, a penalty will be added to your tax (M.S. 277.01). The later you pay, the greater the penalty you must pay. For details, check the back of your property tax statement.

5. What is Tax Forfeiture?

Tax forfeiture is the process by which the state takes ownership of a property if property taxes are not paid. In Minnesota all properties with delinquent taxes for 3 years and have the 4th year to redeem.

6. When do property taxes become delinquent?

Property taxes not paid in the year they are due are delinquent on the first business day of the following year.

7. What is the difference between past due and delinquent taxes?

Past due taxes are taxes that are unpaid in the current year. Delinquent taxes are taxes that are unpaid on the first business day of the following year. If it is your 1st year of delinquent taxes a $40.00 fee will be assessed for publication in the newspaper if full payment has not been received by February 28.

8. What is the tax forfeiture process?

Contact the Treasurers' Office for details.

9. What is the redemption period?

The redemption period is 3 years effective 2013. Delinquent taxes prior to 2013 have a redemption period based on statute changes in 2013 legislative session. Contact the county treasurer's office to verify the redemption period. At any time during the redemption period the owner may pay the delinquent taxes to prevent forfeiture. Before the period of redemption expires, the homeowner receives a "Notice of Expiration of Redemption" and the county auditor is required to mail one last warning to the homeowner. A property forfeits to the state when the redemption period expires or 60 days after the final warning is sent, whichever is later. Contact the treasurers' office for more information.

10. How can I prevent tax forfeiture?

The homeowner is eligible to pay all delinquent taxes and fees or enter into a payment agreement by "confessing" judgment. Full payment or the confession of judgment can be done any time after the taxes become delinquent and up until the redemption period ends. By confessing judgment the homeowner agrees to pay the entire judgment and gives up any right to contest the delinquent amount. To enter into a "confession of judgment", the homeowner must pay one-tenth of the delinquent taxes, penalties and fees and full payment of current year tax and penalty. This payment plan replaces the redemption period and must be paid in a 10-year installment plan.

11. What if I overpay my taxes?

If there is an overpayment of your current year taxes, you may be contacted with the option of a refund, having it applied to a different parcel or the following years taxes.

Refunds will be sent to the party who made the payment.

12. Can the amount of property tax due on my tax statements be different from the amount on my proposed tax notice?

Yes for the following reasons:

The proposed tax notice does not include special assessments.
Referendums passed could result in increasing the tax amounts.
Property owners who occupy their property by December 1 can file for homestead classification for the following year.

13. What is a Special Assessment?

A Special Assessment is an improvement (such as streets, etc.) which directly benefits the property. It is shown as a separate amount on the property tax statement. The amount is based on how much the property benefits from the improvement and the cost of doing the project. It is not based on the value of the property.

14. Buying or Selling Property?

When a property is sold the buyer is responsible to request the tax statement from the seller. In the process of buying and selling, taxes are generally prorated based on days of ownership and agreed upon by the buyer and seller.

15. Purchase a property and tax statement is in old owners name?

When a property is purchased and the deed is filed after December 31st the first notification you will receive from the county indicating the change in ownership will be the proposed tax statement issued in November for the upcoming year.

16. Payment deadline in office or postmark?

Taxes must be postmarked on or before the deadline printed on the statement. If you are taking your tax payment to the post office on the deadline request a "round stamp" of the current date. The round stamp date insures the Treasurers' Office that the payment was received by the post office on or before the deadline.

17. What is a Property Identification Number (PIN)?

It is a unique number assigned to each piece of real estate. The PIN, also known as Parcel Number or Parcel Identification Number, is printed on the Property Tax Statement, the Valuation Notice, Proposed Tax Statement, and various other documents related to real estate taxation or assessment.

18. How can I tell what city or township my property is in from my PIN?

The first two numbers indicate the jurisdiction (city or township) your property is located in. Following is the key:
01-Delaware Township
02-Elbow lake township
03-Elk Lake Township
04-Erdahl Township
05-Gorton Township
06-Land Township
07-Lawrence Township
08-Lien Township
09-Logan Township
10-Macsville Township
11-North Ottawa Township
12-Pelican Lake Township
13-Pomme De Terre Township
14-Roseville Township
15-Sanford Township
16-Stony Brook Township
17-Ashby City
18-Barrett City
19-Elbow Lake City
20-Herman City
21-Hoffman City
22-Norcross City
23-Wendell City

19. Taxes are $100.00 or less?

If taxes are $100.00 or less Minnesota Statute requires full payment on the first deadline.

20. Qualification for Property Tax refund?

Please follow link below:
Property Tax Refund

21. How do I change my address?

Please fill out the Change of Address form that is linked below. Change of Address