Staff writer
The fate for the neighborhood revitalization program is in limbo after commissioners questioned the relevancy of the program, and they discussed the program at both Wednesday and Monday’s meetings.
“It is way above what we envisioned,” Holub said. “It looked pretty simple until they laid that spreadsheet that they processed in front of us.”
Commissioners discussed possible changes to the program, including elimination of the residential program. The residential program offers to pay taxes for 5 years on projects that cost a minimum of $15,000, while the business program pay for taxes on projects that cost a minimum of $50,000.
They expressed support for continuing the program for businesses, but expect to change its current 5-year declining rebate.
“I’d like to maybe raise the minimum from $15,000 to $50,000,” commissioner Randy Dallke said. “If you’re not going to spend $50,000 — $50,000 won’t even buy you a building.”
Another idea that was thrown out was changing the amount of taxes the county would pay. The program at present pays taxes over the course of five years, with the first year paying 90%, the second year paying 80%, and so on.
The commission discussed the idea of changing this policy to paying 90% of taxes for three straight years instead.
As a whole, the decision making process has been back and forth between the commissioners.
A public hearing is scheduled on the neighborhood revitalization at 1 p.m. Oct. 26. Commissioners will determine a new structure for the program after receiving comments.
In other business:
- A special meeting was scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Thursday for a personnel discussion with current road & bridge supervisors.
- Commissioners hired Cheryl Christensen to be the new secretary for the attorney’s office.
- Commissioners extended medical coverage pay for two months upfront for a new employee.
- Commissioners accepted a $26,753 bid from Midway Motors for a 2016 Ford 1-Ton 4x4 for the weed department.