City of Rockford

Important Information Regarding Property Assessments

This may affect your 2020 property taxes.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization for the City of Rockford, Wright and Hennepin County, Minnesota will meet on Tuesday, the 9^th day of April, 2019 at 6pm at City Hall in the Council Chambers at 6031 Main Street, Rockford.  The purpose of this meeting is to determine whether property in the jurisdiction has been properly valued and classified by the assessor.

If you believe the value or classification of your property is incorrect, please contact your county assessor’s office to discuss your concerns.  If you disagree with the valuation or classification after discussing it with your assessor, you may appear before the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization.  The board will review your assessments and may make corrections as needed.  Generally, you must appeal to the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization before appealing to the County Board of Appeal and Equalization.

Local Board of Appeal and Equalization Notice

Every year the city awards a deserving individual or group the “Volunteer of the Year” award.  National Volunteer Week is April 7, 2019 to April 13, 2019.

The City asks residents to submit candidates that they feel are worthy for the award and to list the reason why they should be Volunteer of the Year.  The deadline for nominations will be 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.  The City Council will vote on March 26th.  The Volunteer will be recognized at the City Council meeting on April 9th or April 23rd, depending on the recipient’s availability.

2018 Nominee Form

Proposed Change in Wastewater Billing. The Rockford City Council and Staff have been discussing and reviewing the impact of no summer water use on the averaging method of wastewater billing. Based upon those discussions, it is proposed that: the wastewater averaging be recalibrated every November; new residents be given the choice between actual and averaging when they set up their account, and that a minimum use of 2,000 gallons be used on the averaging wastewater bills that are connected to the system. Here is a brief overview of the proposed changes:

The averaging calculation period would recalibrate each November. Additionally, new residents will be able to choose between actual and averaging billing methods when they set up their utility billing accounts. The current operation of the averaging model uses the prior year’s average water use as the first month of water use during the new averaging period. Additionally, people who purchase a home that had higher or lower water use are required to pay on the previous owner’s average. Starting the averaging over each November and giving new residents a choice between billing methods will keep the average truer to what people use each year and be more equitable for the community.

There would be a 2,000 gallon minimum wastewater use for all people connected to the sewer system who are not on actual use.  Under the averaging method, newly constructed homes that receive a certificate of occupancy in the summer months have not paid a wastewater bill until the following winter (as their average use was 0 gallons of use during the averaging period). The same is true of people who leave Minnesota during the winter months or otherwise have no water use during the averaging period. The new change would impute a minimum wastewater usage of 2,000 gallons per month, which will help address this inequity.

This matter will be again discussed and reviewed by the City Council on Tuesday, February 26^th, 2019 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, City Hall. You can also call City Hall with any questions, comments or concerns you may have. (763) 477-6565.

Saturday, February 23, 2019 (4:30pm-8pm) at the Rockford Fire Station, 6700 Main Street

All you can eat spaghetti, garlic bread, milk and dessert

All tickets sold at the door the night of the event:

• $8 Adults
• $5 Children (ages 6-12)
• $5 Seniors (ages 60+)
• 5 and under free

SILENT AUCTION and RAFFLE items