Darrell Monfort asked Allen County commissioners Tuesday morning to consider initiating an effort to help Iola and other towns in the county counteract the loss of commercial business.
“Iola isn’t unique,” Monfort, who owns and operates Red Barn Veterinary Clinic, said. “I’ve traveled quite a bit in Kansas and Oklahoma recently” and found many towns, small and large, had suffered abandonments of downtown businesses.
His suggestion is that the county consider tax incentives to help new owners of established businesses as they attempt to keep their concerns alive and well. “Maybe a five-year tax abatement would help,” Monfort said. “The first few years are the toughest for a new owner.” Monfort’s plan would not ignore fledgling business, which already qualify for tax considerations, but also would help those that are in place when their owners find it time to retire.
Commissioners were receptive.
“I think it’s a good idea,” said Tom Williams, for Moran, Humboldt and others as well as Iola.
A committee approach would include representatives from towns and groups intent on expanding local economies. “Everyone should be a player,” Monfort said.
He also brought up wind farms, with a pending blueprint before the countywide planning commission to accommodate renewable power companies.
“I’m not anti-wind farm, but I do have questions,” Monfort allowed, some from farmers living elsewhere and with experience.
He wondered if a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) — Coffey County received $495,500 last December for an installation near Waverly — was whole money, or would be expended to restore roads and bridges damaged by heavy equipment during the construction phase.
County Counselor Alan Weber pointed out the county would have a road agreement, which would require a construction company to deal with road and bridge problems separately from a PILOT.
For several years wind farms enjoyed lifetime property tax exemptions; now it is for 10 years.
“When they go on the tax rolls is it just for the concrete bases, which I’ve heard, or the whole thing (tower and blades that generate electricity),” he asked. An answer was not forthcoming, but commissioners will find out well before it might be an issue.
Also, Monfort said he understood turbines produced direct current power, rather than alternating, and asked whether that would be a problem with proposed feed to the grid through power lines on the east side of the county. Again, a question to be asked later.
EDP Renewables has obtained options to lease about 12,000 acres in Allen County and is seeking more. Test towers indicate ample wind currents for a wind farm. If the company forges ahead, construction isn’t likely to start before 2018, commissioners have been told.
IN OTHER NEWS, commissioners:
