Atchison County approves disaster‑relief tax abatement for fire‑damaged property on Atchison Street

The Atchison County Commission on March 17 approved a disaster‑relief determination order for the property at 1012 Atchison Street, owned by Slattery Homes LLC, following a house fire on April 5, 2025. The board approved the recommendation by the county appraiser by voice vote.

County Appraiser Holly Hackthorn told the commission the building had been appraised at $32,008.50 before the fire. "Dividing the value by 12 months and counting four months after the January 1 valuation gives a prorated building value of $10,009.50," Hackthorn said, adding that the total appraised value including land is $14,009.70. Hackthorn recommended a 46% abatement for tax year 2025 under the county's disaster relief procedures.

The recommendation notes the event occurred between January 1 and August 15, which under the county's guidelines qualifies the property for an abatement rather than other relief mechanisms. The board moved to approve the commissioner's disaster relief determination order for the property; the motion was moved and seconded and the vote was recorded in the transcript as passing 3 to 0.

The files presented to the board included photographs of the damage and the county's valuation worksheet. Commissioners and staff confirmed supporting documentation would be retained with the record; signatures were added on the second page of the determination, per the clerk's instructions.

No public comment was recorded on this item during the meeting. The commission did not identify any follow‑up studies or additional hearings tied to this determination.