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Findlay Elevator explores payment-in-lieu option after county exemption review
Summary
Findlay Elevator representatives asked the Griggs County Commission to consider a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes arrangement after a prior tax-exemption approval lacked required voter authorization; staff will seek guidance from the state tax commission and possibly the attorney general and return in January.
Representatives for Findlay Elevator attended the Griggs County Commission meeting Dec. 9 to discuss alternatives after a prior five-year tax exemption was questioned. Cassie (identified as counsel from Nelson Brandley law firm) and county staff said the earlier exemption approval for the elevator’s expansion had been reviewed and that the commission may not have had voter authority to grant that exemption under the cited Century Code provision.
Jamie told commissioners that he had contacted the state tax commission for clarification but had not yet received confirmation. He presented the alternative of a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) arrangement — a set, contractual payment in lieu of property taxes for a defined period — and asked the commission for direction on whether to pursue a PILOT or request voter authorization for exemptions in a future election.
Commissioners asked staff to continue research and to place the item on the Jan. agenda; attorney and state-agency guidance was recommended before any formal action. No exemption, PILOT or vote was taken at the Dec. 9 meeting.
