Chairman Ken Anderson called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Keith Larson, Don Clements, Burdette Nelson, Karene Uhe, Doreen O’Donnell, George Butler, Robert and Linda Miller, Attorney Eileen Brownlee, Steve Clements, Mary Christenson and Assessor Jay Walsh were present. Carson Culver arrived at 8:20.

Proof of proper notice was given.

The minutes of August 15, 2005, were read and approved.

Treasurer’s Report:  $117,367 is the current checkbook balance. The August tax settlement was $65,000; $20,000 in savings; $15,000 for new machinery is in a CD. The two CD’s we had from February- August gained $700 interest.   Eagle Title Company is checking land titles of landowners along Highway 14 from Readstown to Sugar Grove.  Report from the county re: equalized values- Kickapoo Township has the biggest change in value of any township, city or village in Vernon County.

Assessor Jay Walsh said that the Department of Revenue (DOR) has raised values of all townships; Kickapoo is up 20.14%. A big dynamic is the township’s proximity to cities and to the Kickapoo River. The assessor must stay within 10% of equalized value set by the DOR. 2004 Residential value was $3,100 per acre; 2005 is $5,300. Land sales has triggered the price change- land along the river goes for $4,000- $8,000 per acre.  Agricultural land is the same; forested land is up 20%; ag/forest is up $900 per acre; “other land” (farm buildings) is up 10-20% overall. The property tax freeze does not affect assessment. Expect 10-15% increase in value of residential land for 2006. The bottom line is that most categories except ag land will go up 10-20% assessed valuation.

Eileen Brownlee addressed whether the driveway ordinance can still be enforced when the town no longer has village powers. This question has never been touched by any court in the state. In the area where the driveway is in the highway right-of-way the town has absolute control. Other components are ambiguous. Without village powers town boards may adopt ordinances that protect against fires, such as a burning ordinance. It follows that driveway ordinances to make driveways passable for fire vehicles are legal whether or not the town has village powers. Non-enforceable parts of the ordinance are those that do not have a safety component; that is, where no dwelling exists.

Zoning can happen without village powers until 2010.

Brownlee recommends that town adopt an ordinance to use the uniform citation system for ordinance violations. She will check with the clerk of courts to make sure they do not have a problem the town using their system, and bring a sample ordinance to the Sept. 15 meeting. Attorney retainer fee is $120 per hour.