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Miami County commissioners approve three fire-related tax abatements, courthouse restroom bid, EMS site credit and one-year code-services contract
Summary
At a Feb. 5 meeting, the Miami County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved tax abatements for three homes damaged by fire in 2024, authorized bid documents for a courthouse restroom renovation, accepted a $7,417 soil-preparation credit for a future EMS building pad and approved a one-year extension of code-services software.
The Miami County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 5 to approve three property-tax abatements for homes damaged by fire in 2024 and to authorize procurement actions for courthouse restroom renovations, an EMS site credit and a one-year contract for the county's code-services software.
Assistant County Administrator Lucas Smellinger told commissioners the abatements apply to three dwellings that experienced house fires in 2024 and that owners remain taxed on the land value while the dwelling portion is prorated for the number of days in the year. "They are still are taxed on the actual land value, and then they will be prorated taxed throughout the year of 2024 based on the amount of days of 365 or 366," Smellinger said.
The board approved separate resolutions for the McDonald Homestead, the Brewer Homestead and the Philippine Homestead. Each resolution passed on unanimous voice votes after motions and seconds were made on the floor. The record does not specify the exact pro rata percentages for each property; Smellinger noted one of the fires occurred in January, which produces a larger tax-share for that property because more of the year preceded the loss.
Also on the consented action calendar, commissioners authorized staff to prepare bid documents for a second-floor courthouse restroom renovation in the county attorney's office area. Commissioners said the fixture and floor configuration present safety and accessibility concerns for the public and county visitors and agreed to move the project into the formal bidding process.
Frank Burrow, Miami County EMS chief, described a contractor's soil-blending work that prepares a future building pad adjacent to the fire bay. Burrow presented a credit related to that work and gave the total as $7,417. The board moved to accept the credit as presented and voted unanimously.
Finally, the board approved a one-year extension for the county's code-services software. Smellinger, filling in for the code-services director, said the county will extend the current system for 2025 as an interim measure while staff evaluate options for a longer-term replacement planned for 2026. He described the system as an online permit- and tracking tool that has shortened permit processing time and reduced paper handling in the department.
All votes on the listed items were unanimous voice approvals. The meeting record shows no formal dissent or conditions attached to the approvals. Commissioners also approved a consent agenda at the meeting's outset and heard routine staff reports and announcements, including an open house for the county Veterans Affairs building scheduled for March 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The board adjourned at 1:11 p.m.
