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Supervisors table decision on tax abatement for Clorinda parcels pending auditor guidance
Summary
The board delayed action on a tax-abatement request for four parcels owned by the City of Clorinda, including agricultural land and leased county property, after questions about whether county-owned property used for revenue should be taxed under state rules and pending state auditor input.
The Page County Board of Supervisors voted to table a tax-abatement request covering multiple parcels held in the name of the City of Clorinda until the county receives further information from the state auditor and county staff.
The parcels include multiple lots and an agricultural parcel that has been leased for farming. A county official explained the issue centers on whether property devoted to public use but leased for pecuniary profit should be exempt from property taxation, and said the county has received differing guidance.
"I don't think that the county should have to pay property tax on this, but we'll see," a supervisor said, describing conversations with another county that had faced a similar situation. The board recorded the approximate tax amounts for the parcels: the farmland tax bill was reported as $9,386; a VA building parcel's tax was $674; and another parcel at the jail was $28.
Because the parcels are held in the name of the city and some are leased for farming or rented space, staff recommended withholding payment on the questioned parcels until clarifying information is received from the state auditor and local assessors. The board agreed to table the decision until the next meeting.
No abatement or payment was finalized at the meeting; the board approved tabling the item to allow time for staff follow-up and possible audit commentary.
