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Board of Equalization approves property adjustments, grants tax exemptions including 90% for downtown community group
Summary
The McPherson County Board of Equalization approved several assessment corrections and owner-occupancy changes and set tax-exemption percentages for two applicants, including a 90% exemption for a downtown community development organization.
The McPherson County Board of Equalization approved a series of assessment adjustments and tax-exemption decisions during its meeting, including a reduction in a farm-house value after a January fire and a 90% tax exemption for a downtown community development organization’s lot and office space.
The decisions affect property owners who appealed assessments and nonprofit applicants seeking partial tax exemptions; commissioners addressed stipulations, ownership corrections, owner-occupied designations and exemption percentages.
On a stipulation for a rural property described as Castle Farm south of town, staff reported that the property’s house burned in January and that the house value would be removed, reducing assessed value by $17,000 for the dwelling. Commissioners voted to approve the stipulation by voice vote.
The board approved several administrative corrections under tab two: name and ownership corrections (for multiple parcels), adding owner-occupied status to a detached garage and combining split lots onto property cards. The motions to approve tab two were moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.
Under tax-exempt applications (tab three), the commission reviewed an application from a community organization that purchased a former hospital property and additional downtown property. The applicant’s representative, Judy Doan, described ongoing remodeling, handicapped-accessible restroom work and limited short-term rental of meeting space. Doan said the organization charges $15–$25 for single-day rentals and currently has no full-time renters.
County staff and commissioners discussed prior-year occupancy assessments and tax amounts. The group concluded with a motion to grant the applicant a 90% tax exemption for the land and office space; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Commissioners asked staff to monitor occupancy changes and return if the organization takes on permanent renters.
Other routine action: the board approved the list of tax-exempt properties (various groups and name changes noted), accepted the disabled veterans exemption and the senior freeze assessment procedures for qualifying applicants, and approved a county-owned-property listing for review.
Ending: Commissioners closed the equalization session with no need for an executive session; staff were directed to follow up on the ECDC (community group) occupancy and to update applicants if their use changes.
