HUMBOLDT — Humboldt council members will decide at their Nov. 9 meeting what parts of town will be in a new segment of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program.
City Administrator Cole Herder said Monday night renewing the program — the second three-year run in Humboldt expired in May 2014 — slipped past him until a resident asked about signing on for an upgrade he had planned.
Iola and several other area cities have taken advantage of the program, which gives property tax refunds. Rules are simple: If new construction or an upgrade amounts to $5,000 or more, and application is duly made, the owner qualifies for a refund of 95 percent for six years, with that reduced 20 percent each of the next four years with full taxing in the 11th year. Refund is 95 percent because Allen County retains 5 percent for administrative costs.
While the program will affect Humboldt residents, they also will benefit by refunds on behalf of USD 258, Allen County and Allen Community College, provided those taxing units sign on, which they have previously.
Herder said all of Humboldt could not be included. A 1996 ruling prevents 100 percent of a city being involved. “How about 99 percent,” asked Mayor Nobby Davis. Herder thought that was workable, but wanted to review particulars of the program before making a recommendation.
He pointed out in the first three years all of the downtown area and residential properties south of Bridge Street were in the program. The second three years included downtown and all of Humboldt west of Ninth Street (old U.S. 169).
“We should have the northeast part of town in this time,” said Councilwoman Vada Aikins.
A vote for Herder to prepare a recommendation passed unanimously.
IN OTHER news, council members:
— Heard but took no action on a plea from Bill Cavins to permit four-wheelers (ATVs) to be driven on Humboldt streets legally, as golf carts are now. Cavins said several smaller area towns permit four-wheelers access to streets, and that he saw little difference between them and golf carts.
— Learned swimming pool expenses came in under budget — barely, with 99.58 percent of allocated funds spent. Herder said 4,921 people used the pool, under Humboldt’s management after it was farmed out to a national company the previous two years. Last year’s attendance as 3,139.
— Were told smoke testing of the sewer system had been completed, but “I’m awaiting a summary” of what was found, Herder said. Cleaning and inspecting the system via video was scheduled to start today.
