Allen County commissioners Tuesday morning overturned an earlier decision that denied abatement of county property taxes for American Self Storage units at the east edge of Iola.
Dana Watson, former Iolan and a partner in the Independence business that built the units, told commissioners paperwork for the tax abatement — Iola and USD 257 agreed to it previously — was apparently lost in City Hall.
Iola Mayor Bill Shirley agreed, which convinced commissioners to trigger the 10-year abatement through the Neighborhood Revitalization Program starting â¨Jan. 1.
The units were built in 2007. Watson said he thought all requirements for the abatement were in place. He anticipated 95 percent return — the county retains 5 percent for administration — for five years and then a 20 percent a year phase-in of the tax responsibility.
“Instead, we’ve paid $15,000 in taxes, which wasn’t in our business plan,” Watson said.
While city officials blamed changes in code enforcement personnel for the mix-up, Watson wasn’t as kind. He termed it ineptitude.
Commissioners said they understood Watson’s despair and earlier didn’t agree to abatement “because we didn’t have anything on paper,” said Commissioner Gary McIntosh.
But, with the city’s acknowledgment that mistakes were made and Shirley’s promise of an affidavit that application was made in a timely manner, they agreed to give the abatement.
Allen County Community College also balked at the abatement, which Shirley said he was confident would change at its next trustees meeting, which “I plan to attend.”
IN OTHER business, commissioners:
— Lifted the burn ban that has been in effect for several weeks because of dry weather. Commissioners decided recent rainfall was sufficient to make burning in rural areas safe.
— Recognized six department heads who completed Federal Emergency Management Agency response courses. They are Kim Riebel, Department Public Works office manager; Jeremy Hopkins, roads; Mitch Garner, airport; Mike Hough, noxious weed control; Scott Reeder, bridges; Eula Hutton, landfill. Recognized for years of service were Treasurer Sharon Utley, 24 years; MIchelle Smith, 16 years, and Heath Womack and Joyce Foster, eight years each.
— Learned from Jason Nelson, ambulance director, that this year had been the department’s busiest. So far county ambulances have made 1,214 runs totaling charges of $576,000, which is $72,000 more than 2010. Runs into western Bourbon County have totaled $43,746.50.
