Property owners to appeal valuations starting Monday

Commercial property owners will soon have their day to contest the new property values for all commercial properties.

The county will hold its Board of Equalization meeting throughout much of the day Monday, Tuesday and Thursday in the Mower County Government Center.

More than 25 property owners will appeal their property values to the board.

Most are attending due to the new commercial assessments. The county board is paying Vanguard Appraisals more than $250,000 to complete the re-assessments after noticing discrepancies and inaccurately-assessed commercial property values. By hiring Vanguard, the board could complete the new assessments in about a year, rather than completing them in house over multiple years.

Overall, commercial property values increased by 29 percent, but the increase includes new construction.

Many business and property owners have been outspoken about the assessments.

Mark Nagle, who’s been a supporter of downtown revitalization, previously said the higher values — which in turn means higher property taxes — are going to discourage investing.

“It makes it so people like me don’t want to buy property,” said Nagle, co-owner of South Central Athlete and other downtown properties.

Nagle and other property owners have said the higher values which would likely increase taxes will mean higher costs for businesses renting properties.

This week likely won’t be the end for the commercial assessments. County commissioners have said they expect some property owners to take their cases to tax court.

List of appeals:

6 p.m. June 11

Austin City’s Employee’s Credit Union (Pam Reistad)

Bruce Bucknell

Lawrence Hanson

Craig Byram for Pro Growth Bank

Craig Jacobson

Jim Plehal

Jennings/Koch

Allan Ziebarth

Jeff Wilhelmi

1 p.m. June 12

Angie Hanf

Arnie Johnson/City of Mapleview

Eric Anderson / LL Hage Siding & Windows

Fred Regua

Bob Maus / BMF Partnership

Dave Lunning

Craig Byram for JT Leasing

Karen Cosgrove

Tony Warmka

Daryle Irlbeck

Rick Lamon

9 a.m. June 14

Mark Nagle / South Central

Mike Adams / Ice Haus

Dan Donnelly for Taco Johns

Art Nelson

Mark Nagle for Jeff Carney / Carney Auto

Bob Sinkink

Randy Berg

Ralph Donker

LeAnn Clausen / Adams Funeral Home

Mark Monnier

Mark Reeve

Bill Carroll, Jr. / 100 Building Partnership

Jon Shaw

Craig Shaw

SportsPlus

Mower County

Riverland Theatre students shine in “The Spotlight”

Mower County

Council holds Truth in Taxation meeting, moves final levy and budget decision to Dec. 16 meeting

Mower County

New stop signs has city taking control of uncontrolled intersections

Mower County

Christmas concert featuring CommUNITY Choir, Austinaires to be held Tuesday

News

UnitedHealthcare CEO is fatally shot in a ‘targeted attack’ outside a New York hotel, officials say

Mower County

Suspect in criminal sexual conduct case in Grand Meadow has conditional release revoked

News

Minnesota budget update shows $1.1B less than prior forecast

Albert Lea

Freeborn Co. Fair releases 2025 grandstand line-up

News

My Town My Music release 2025 Rochester Thaw Music Festival Lineup

Education

LeRoy’s Izabella Allison named to the Dean’s List at Palmer College of Chiropractic

Blooming Prairie

Education Briefs: Blooming Prairie A Honor Roll

News

History museum teaches appreciation for buildings, design through gingerbread

Mower County

Long awaited renovation/expansion project announced for Paramount Theatre

Mower County

City council puts pause on cannabis ordinance

Mower County

Holiday fun in works for Merry & Bright Night

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

None injured in Thanksgiving night house fire

Mower County

Austin man with history of drug convictions gets 67 months in prison for latest charge

News

Biden’s broken promise on pardoning his son Hunter is raising new questions about his legacy

Mower County

Austin Area Foundation announces community funded grants to a record 22 local nonprofit organizations

Mower County

Photos: Holiday revelers face the cold for Hometown Christmas

Albert Lea

Albert Lea theater to present ‘White Christmas’

Mower County

Nativity display open for another year

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County Senior Center