NEW ULM - Brown County commissioners will consider a resolution Tuesday for cancellation of forfeiture on Lot 1 of the Marktplatz Mall and George's Ballroom.
According to the Request for Board Action (RBA), the Brown County Auditor-Treasurer (A-T) filed a Certificate of Forfeiture with the County Recorder on Wednesday, May 30,. The next day, Randy Danielson, who owns the southern portion of the mall and George's, came into the A-T office and paid $61,292.08 in delinquent taxes by bank money order.
Current year taxes remain due at this time. Danielson indicated he believed the due date was May 30 and that a 60-day time frame from the service of notice had not expired, according to state statute, the RBA read.
The A-T office believes the financial obligation to the county through 2011 has been satisfied. The county is not interested in owning and managing a mall, due to the time investment and financial obligations, according to the RBA.
It is in the best interest of the county to request the Minnesota Department of Revenue to approve the forfeiture cancellation and return the property to private ownership, according to the RBA.
Commissioners will also consider:
* A $1,090 current year late payment of tax penalty abatement for the Super 8 property, 1901 S. Broadway. Allowable abatements at the discretion of the A-T office are limited to clerical errors, hardship not related to financial hardship, and one-time penalty and interest abatements for taxpayers with an extended history of making timely payments, according to the RBA.
Shree Balaji LLC requested penalty abatement consideration. The A-T office believes the request does not meet abatement criteria; however, the county board can abate penalties at its discretion.
The property was transferred Feb. 29, 2012. Taxes were due May 15. The property owner was sent a reminder at the end of May and called the A-T office on June 12, asking for abatement consideration.
* A grievance appeal presentation by Local 98 by business agent Len McFarland, Stephanie Sorensen and Christine Rath. According to a letter dated May 25, 2012 to Brown County commissioners from McFarland, Sgt. Sorensen and Correctional Officer Rath failed to receive back pay at increased rates according to the current collective bargaining agreement, from Jan. 1 through Feb. 29, 2012, the day both left county employment, according to the RBA. A written response to the appeal is due to the union by July 4.
The county board meeting starts at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 19 in the commissioners room of the courthouse. A continuation of the Board of Appeal & Equalization meeting follows at 1 p.m. Tuesday.
(Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).