Council approves Hawkeye Industries ad valorem tax-exemption application; next step county and state review

Ben (staff member) summarized an ad valorem tax exemption application from Hawkeye Industries for improvements valued at roughly $570,000 and told the council the application meets the city's financial threshold. Nut graf: The council approved forwarding the application to the county tax assessor and the state Department of Revenue for verification; a final city resolution will follow when the state issues its determination. Ben said the Hawkeye application is “for 570 something thousand dollars” and that it meets the financial threshold required locally. He described the multi-step process: the assessor's office at the courthouse will verify eligible improvements and issue a certificate, the city will include that certificate with its application to the state Department of Revenue, and the state will issue the final determination (formerly handled by the State Tax Commission). The council approved the application by unanimous voice vote and staff estimated the process could be completed in a month or two. No final exemption was granted by the council at the meeting; the action forwarded the application for county and state review. Ending: The city will return with a final resolution after the assessor and Department of Revenue complete their reviews and issue the necessary certificate and state confirmation.