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Finney County approves 60% tax abatement for $35M Garden City Co‑op expansion
Summary
The Finney County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 09/2026 authorizing submission of a 60% economic development property tax abatement for Garden City Co‑op’s estimated $35 million expansion, after staff presented a state cost‑benefit analysis projecting county fiscal benefits over 15 years.
The Finney County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a county resolution supporting a 60% property tax abatement for Garden City Co‑op’s proposed retention and expansion project, a staff presentation said.
Darwin Martwick, a field appraiser in the county appraiser’s office, told the board the project includes an estimated $35,000,000 capital investment. Under Finney County’s tax abatement policy and the criteria cited by staff, that level of capital investment qualifies the company for a 60% exemption of property taxes for up to 10 years. Martwick said a state cost‑benefit analysis projects roughly $7,497,942 in total fiscal benefits to the county over 15 years and estimated net benefits after incentives of about $4,754,836, with a present value of net benefits of approximately $3,043,588.
The county’s tax abatement review committee reviewed the application, and staff recommended the commission adopt Resolution 09/2026 and authorize the chair to sign the package that will be submitted to the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals (BOTA) after construction and final valuation. The board opened a public hearing, heard no public comment, and then voted to adopt the resolution and authorize the chair’s signature.
Why it matters: the abatement aims to retain and expand an agricultural‑industry business in Finney County. Staff presented an analysis showing net positive fiscal impacts over the long term, but the abatement will reduce property tax revenue for the duration of the exemption while the county and other taxing entities await post‑construction valuation and final reviews by BOTA.
Next steps: staff will submit the completed EDX application, supporting documents and the formal resolution to the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals for review and issuance of an order following post‑construction valuation.
