There was good news on the economic development front for the Barton County Commission Tuesday morning regarding its countywide Neighborhood Revitalization Plan.
“It is with great excitement that I get to come before you and announce that our interlocal agreement for the Barton County Neighborhood Revitalization Plan was approved by the Kansas attorney general,” said County Appraiser Wendy Prosser, the county official who spearheaded the project. The plan will take effect beginning Jan. 1, 2022.
After adopting both a resolution and the agreement supporting the plan following a public hearing in September, the agreement was submitted to the AG’s office for an official blessing.
It is intended as a cooperative effort with area taxing districts to promote the revitalization and development of Barton County by stimulating new construction, rehabilitation, conservation or redevelopment within through property tax rebates.
It was submitted to area taxing districts for review and approval. Included are cities, school districts, recreation commissions, townships, Barton Community College as well as fire, cemetery, hospital, extension, watershed and library districts.
A big boost
“This is one more instance of this particular commission reaching out and working together with other communities and other taxing entities,” District 5 Commissioner Jennifer Schartz said. “I think we’re seeing a bigger picture in Barton county that we all have to pull together in the same direction. I think it’s going to be positive for everybody.”
Previously, plans were only available to residents of Great Bend, Hoisington, Claflin and Ellinwood, Prosser said. “So by adopting the countywide plan now, those who are in the rural areas can now also participate.”
“This is going to be huge for economic development,” said District 1 Commissioner Kirby Krier, who first brought up the idea. “You are going to be surprised by the number of people who are going utilize this.”
A team effort
“You have put a tremendous amount of work, along with your staff, into this and you’re to be commended,” said commission Chairman Jim Daily, District 4. “Congratulations for that.”
The efforts of Krier, County Clerk Donna Zimmerman, County Counselor Patrick Hoffman, Facilities Manager/Solid Waste Director Phil Hathcock, Administrative Secretary Diana Watson and others were also key, Prosser said. Additionally, they had assistance from the other communities that already had plans in place.
“There were a lot of people involved with this,” she said.
How it works
According to the plan, a property owner who is starting a new construction project, a rehabilitation, conservation or redevelopment of an existing structure in Barton County may file an application for a tax rebate based on the value increase from the completed project, Prosser said.
To be eligible:
• The project cannot have begun prior to Jan. 1, 2022.
• An application must be completed and filed with the Barton County Appraiser’s Office, along with a copy of any applicable building permits and a non-refundable $20 application fee prior to starting the project.
• For a residential or agricultural property, a minimum $10,000 investment must be made, and the finished project must increase the parcel’s assessed value by 5%. For a commercial property, a $20,000 investment must be made and the finished project must increase the parcel’s assessed value by 10%.
As an example, if someone puts up a detached garage and increases their property value by $20,000, they will receive a rebate back the following year after that’s completed based on that $20,000 increase in appraised value. They would receive a rebate in the first year of 95% , an amount that decreases over time.
So as the taxpayer receives a smaller rebate, the taxing entities will start to see the benefits as the improvement broadens the tax base. “We’re looking at different ways to build up our communities,” Prosser said.
Beginning Jan. 1, the Neighborhood Plan information and application will be available via the Barton County Website at www.bartoncounty.org or also available in the Barton County Appraiser’s Office.
Waiting for responses
Most county taxing entities have responded and are on board, Prosser said. But, she has yet to hear from officials in Pawnee Rock, Walnut, or Wheatland townships. Additionally, she has not been contacted by the Independent Township Library, Fairview Cemetery, Claflin Cemetery, Ellinwood Hospital District, USD 351 Recreation Commission, and USD 431 Recreation Commission.
“We encourage these entities to please let us know as soon as possible if they would still like to participate,” she said.
“For property owners located within those taxing districts, if your taxing district does not wish to participate, you are still eligible for participation in the plan,” she said. However, these taxpayers’ rebates will be smaller since they won’t include any rebates from the non-participating entities.
