Super 8 owner asks Dickinson County to waive penalties and interest on $200,000 tax delinquency

During the meeting's public-comment period, the owner of the Super 8 motel in Dickinson County, identifying himself as "SJ," asked the commission to waive penalties and interest on delinquent property taxes so he could begin paying the principal and keep the hotel operating.

SJ said he bought the motel in 2022 and spent roughly $300,000 renovating it following fire-inspection and plumbing-related orders; he said the upgrades left the business deeply in debt and that the property taxes became delinquent. "We're trying to work out those penalty and the interest so we can start paying property taxes to keep it going," SJ said. He said the business now employs 14 full-time workers and that revenues have improved since renovations.

A commissioner asked whether the property tax delinquency existed when SJ purchased the property; SJ responded that it was delinquent at the time he bought it. County officials asked follow-up questions about the owner's ability to pay current and future taxes. SJ said he expects to be able to pay future taxes going forward now that the business is stabilizing.

A commissioner noted the county has not made exceptions during previous tax-sales and emphasized the legal obligation to pay taxes on purchased property. SJ said he was asking only for relief from penalties and interest, not for a tax abatement, and he reiterated a willingness to pay the taxes themselves if penalties were waived.

The commission said it would "take it into consideration." No formal action or vote on penalty or interest relief occurred during the meeting.

The owner also said he had purchased a separate hotel in another county that received a 10-year tax abatement, which he cited as an example of a different local policy response in another jurisdiction.

Votes at a glance: No formal vote was taken on waiving penalties or interest; commissioners said they would consider the request.