In El Dorado, the current Neighborhood Revitalization Plan (NRP) allows for tax abatements on both residential and commercial property construction. During Tuesday’s Butler County Commission meeting, the commissioners voted to authorize a similar plan for the City of Augusta.
Since 2004 the county has worked with Augusta to administer the NRP, which offered a 10-year abatement of 95 percent of property taxes on improvements to existing structures south of Kelly Street.
On Tuesday, this plan was amended to include a five-year abatement on new construction anywhere in the Augusta city limits and to cap residential property eligibility at $200,000 and commercial property eligibility at $500,000.
“The program works,” said Commissioner Mike Wheeler. “It works great in El Dorado.”
The interlocal agreement to amend the NRP includes cooperation from USD 402, Butler Community College and Butler County.
During the discussion, Commissioners Bruce Harris and Dan Woydziak expressed some concern about the $500,000 commercial abatements, although they noted that their concerns wouldn’t be enough for them to vote against the amendment.
“I think you have other avenues to address these,” Woydziak said of offering abatements on commercial property. “I think this is a program for residential homes.”
“I agree with Dan,” said Harris. “It was centered around the blighted area and I think it has gone away from that.”
Augusta City Manager Bill Keefer noted that the current plan allows commercial abatements, but the amendment will put a cap in place.
“The existing plan includes the 7th Street corridor,” said Keefer. “This puts a cap on it. There isn’t a cap on it now.”
Augusta city leaders hope the NRP will help jumpstart local construction.
The commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the amendment, which will be in effect until March 7, 2012, when it will be re-evaluated.
In other business, the commissioners:
• received Shelly Hammond and Mike Lowry of Allen, Gibbs & Houlik, L.C. to discuss the 2010 county financial audit.
• gave permission to the Juvenile Justice Services Administration to apply for the Prevention Trust Fund grant.
• authorized the solicitation of bids for purchase of tires for the Butler County Department of Public Works.
• tabled until next week a notice to contractors for culvert letting No, 66 for the construction of 12 reinforced concrete box structures throughout Butler County.
• authorized the Department of Public Works to acquire right-of-way related to a proposed concrete box culvert extension on Haverhill Road.
• held a work session to discuss financial policies regarding investment, revenue and grant policies.
• held a work session to discuss capital improvement plan road projects.
• discussed issues involving rural water districts.
• noted that a meeting to find a replacement for retiring Sheriff Craig Murphy will take place on April 11.
• noted that on April 15 there will be a ribbon cutting in Augusta at the public safety facility for the new countywide emergency communications system.
