County Assessor Jean Popp discussed the 2024 property and land value assessment map for Morrison County. As county assessor, Popp is responsible for ensuring all department policies and Minnesota state statutes related to property taxes are followed. This includes estimating property values for tax purposes and bringing assessments in line with Department of Revenue guidelines.
Although the map shows the average percentage increase of property and land value, Popp said there is no true “average” increase. The map provides a general overview, with some properties seeing larger increases than the middle percentage shown.
“In our office, we go by characteristics,” Popp said. “We don’t work in averages. Every house is going to have its own characteristics. It’s going to have its own story height, its own square footage, its own quality of construction. It’s also going to have its own condition.”
According to Popp, agricultural land values remained fairly stable this year after seeing large 30-40% increases in 2021. Residential property values continued to rise due to pandemic-related shifts. Higher material and construction costs have driven up home values. Low interest rates also enable buyers to afford more expensive properties.
Popp said property owners will feel the effects of higher assessments through potentially higher property taxes starting next year. Some may also be impacted if they want to buy or sell their home.
Keeping in mind that individual parcels of property and land may vary greatly from the average it is associated with, most land values had an average of 0% change, not significantly increasing or decreasing in value. The biggest exception was Granite Township, which had a 15% increase in land value, with Pike Creek and Buh townships both seeing a 5% increase and Scandia Valley Township having a 5% decrease in land value.
Property values comparatively changed much more, with the largest increase being Richardson Township’s on-water properties, increasing by 40%. Popp explained that if there are enough significant bodies of water in a township, on-water values will be averaged separately from off-water values. For example, Richardson Township’s off-water properties increased by 25%.
Other significant changes in property values included Cushing Township, which increased by 30% off-water and 35% on-water, Agram Township, which increased by 10% on-water and 30% on-water, Elmdale Township, which increased by 5% off-water and 30% on-water, and Scandia Valley Township, which increased by 30% off-water and 15% on-water.
City property and land values were averaged separately from townships. All city land values had no change, but significant changes for city property values included Bowlus, Harding, Hillman and Swanville, all of which increased by 15%. Buckman, Elmdale, Flensburg, Genola, Lastrup, Sobieski, Upsala and east Little Falls increased by 10%, whereas Pierz and west Little Falls increased by 5%. The remaining cities, Motley, Royalton and Randall, saw no change in average property values.
The largest exempt property within Morrison County is the Camp Ripley Military Reservation, meaning that the military and civilian training facility doesn’t have to pay taxes. Just because it is tax exempt, however, doesn’t mean Popp and her staff don’t have to assess all the land and property within Camp Ripley that falls within Morrison County’s borders.
If residents disagree with their valuation, they can appeal to the county. The assessor’s office first verifies the property data is accurate. Local and county boards then review appeals and make final decisions. Popp encourages people to call with any questions about their valuation.
“That’s what we’re here for,” Popp said. “We work for the property owners. Through their taxes, they pay for our wages, and we are here to support them and to make sure we’re holding that accountability to our office.”
In her seven years as county assessor and 17 prior years as an appraiser, Popp has focused on equitable treatment of all property owners. She relies on her experienced staff to provide fair assessments across Morrison County’s diverse cities and townships.
“I think the biggest thing here too, is looking at myself and my workload, I could not do my work without the amazing team that I have,” Popp said. “They are very capable, and they really want to serve Morrison County and they do it well. They do it with compassion and knowledge. The assessors and the appraisers and the technicians are just very knowledgeable and good. I think we have over 130 years of total experience within the office here. And so we really try hard to make a positive impact on the county and people don’t have to like us, but hopefully they know that we’re doing our job, and doing it well.”
Popp lives with her husband and dog, named Taz, on a family farm in Royalton. She has two children and three grandchildren. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, flower gardening and spending time in nature.
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