Commission upholds assessor rollback for BZI Innovation Park and NKM parcels

The Iron County Commission, sitting as the board of equalization, upheld hearing-officer recommendations to remove several parcels in BZI Innovation Park and NKM Family Trust from agricultural (greenbelt) valuation and subject them to rollback taxes.

Hearing officer Carrie and assessor staff presented evidence that the parcels have surface improvements, roads and utilities in place, and have not been actively devoted to agricultural use for the required period. Braden (assessor staff) explained the statutory criteria for greenbelt status, including a minimum of five contiguous acres actively devoted to agriculture and a typical two-year active-use requirement for new applicants. He said blading, surface improvements and storage of equipment on parcels would disqualify them from greenbelt classification.

Drake Howell, representing BZI Innovation Park, acknowledged the large spec building and the improvements in the park but requested flexibility to fence and graze undeveloped portions while recruiting businesses. Staff noted a path exists for reapplication: property owners may fence and demonstrate two years of active agricultural use (or follow statutory procedures for partial removal where surface improvements are recorded).

After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the hearing officer’s recommendation to deny the rollback-release requests and uphold the assessor’s rollback; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Commissioners and staff noted owners may reapply once they meet statutory requirements.