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The Babbitt city council met as the board of appeal and equalization on April 15.
St. Louis County assessor Ben Thomas said there were 17 sales, with 16 used in a study of sales ratios.
The study found assessed values were a little low so the county put a six percent increase on residential building values to get to within 95 percent of sale prices. Commercial land went up five percent.
Babbitt’s total market value was listed at $192 million.
Mayor Andrea Zupancich, a realtor, asked what assessors look for when going into someone’s home.
“This was a situation where we quite a few sales on the top of this year that probably there’s an eight or 10 of them, where it sold for quite a more than assessed value.
“And then when we found out what had gone on inside the house just prior to the sale, it had been just rehabbed right prior to the sale. It wasn’t part of the assessment. As far as we knew, it was still the old flooring, old windows, old bathroom, old kitchen. And so then when those things did happen, that proper sold for substantially more than our assessed value because it was improved,” said Thomas.
He said other areas saw increases as well including eight percent in Ely.
Thomas pointed out that last year they reduced Babbitt’s values by five percent.
Zupancich asked at what value is the homestead value capped at.
Assessor Paul Cherry said the cap is now $517,000 and Thomas noted the state’s taconite credit had been increased from $320 to $600.
There was no one present to contest their assessed value.
The upcoming city cleanup day was discussed. The last one was done in September of 2024.
Having one in the spring was an option but the council seemed hesitant to hold one in the spring and decided to wait until the fall.
Lassi said if there is nice weather in the spring people would rather go fishing.
In other business the council:
• Will have the city attorney review a memorandum of understanding including a lease agreement for the Deep Winter Greenhouse project. Zupancich said a benefactor has stepped forward to assist with financing the project.
• Approved an ordinance to rezone a 6.45-acre parcel on the northeast side of Cherry Circle to light industrial business district.
• Reviewed receipts that showed previous clerk-treasurer Robecca Jaeger repaid the city $967.03 and $373.70 for increased wages she was paid before the council had approved the change.
• Passed a motion to approve the Jaeger’s resignation. Included in the packet was a handwritten resignation letter from Jaeger dated April 10: “This is my official letter of resignation. It will take place immediately as of April 10, 2025.”
• Heard from Sarah Powell that she would forego attending a clerks conference since the office is short-handed. The board approved a recommendation from Powell that attendance is allowed only after one year of employment.
• Accepted a resignation from library employee JoAnn Briggs and will send a letter of thanks for her 10 years of service.
• Hired Garrett Stark as an ambulance service employee.
• Approved changes to city payroll based on recommendations by Powell.
• Approved allowing Powell to work with the auditor to get library carryover fund questions resolved.
• Approved additional overtime in the clerk’s office since they are working with one fewer person.
• Street department supervisor Tony Chamberlin said he made have some additional hours for grant work including the possibility of additional FEMA funds. The monies could be used for upgrading gravel roads and upsizing some culverts to reduce flooding. The council approved his request as well.
• Tabled a purchase agreement of $5,000 per lot for three lots to the Green Mining Company (see separate story). The purchases are contingent on receiving a conditional use permit from the city. The original price was $6,000. There was also a question on whether there is a requirement if the buyer has to build within two years.
