The impact of Iolas ongoing Neighborhood Revitalization Plan will be explored further by Iola City Council members.
The Council scheduled a public hearing Sept. 23 to discuss renewing the plan, which provides property tax rebates to those who either build or refurbish existing properties within Iola city limits.
Property owners must increase the appraised values of their properties by at least $5,000 to qualify for the plan. If they do, the owners receive a refund equal to the difference in what they paid in taxes with the more valuable property. The full difference is refunded through the first five years, then reduced in 20 percent increments in years 6 through 10.
The current plan expires Nov. 30.
City Administrator Sid Fleming told Council members he would have a full breakdown of what the plan has meant for the city since its inception.
Its been used quite a bit, Fleming noted.
The revitalization plan originally was instituted for specific areas within Iola before being expanded to include all areas within the city limits.
Fleming said the plan would remain unchanged, if the Council approves.
The city must seek the necessary inter-local cooperation with other taxing entities, including Allen County, USD 257 and Allen Community College.
COUNCIL members approved, 7-0, a contract with Gordon CPA LLC to continue handling the citys financial audit services through fiscal year 2020. Sean Gordon had been the lead auditor for Iola with Mize Houser & Company PA in 2018. However, that firm is shifting its focus at the end of the year and will no longer conduct municipal audits, Fleming said.
Terms for the deal with Gordon CPA will remain the same as what had been agreed to with Mize Houser, Fleming said.
Councilman Aaron Franklin was absent.
IN OTHER news, the Council:
Approved updates to the Standard Traffic Ordinance and Uniform Public Offense Codes. The annual updates largely parallel state law, with a few amendments. For example, Iola has provisions allowing micro-utility trucks.
