In a brief meeting Tuesday with Allen County commissioners, Jeff Bauer said the latest version of Iola’s Neighborhood Revitalization Plan had been completed.
“Basically, all we did was clean up the language a little bit,” said Bauer, Iola’s code enforcement officer.
The coverage area was not changed, he said. It runs through the heart of the city, east to west, south to the flood plain, where many homes were razed after the flood of 2007, and north to Carpenter and Garfield streets.
Inclusion means a rebate of 95 percent of property taxes paid for six years, with taxes then phased in at 20 percent a year. The county retains 5 percent of taxes paid for administration.
Commissioners encouraged Bauer to make certain people understand they are eligible for the rebates. He said an application was made available with each building permit.
“We’re trying to make it work,” he said.
Reason for concern was several cases in which property owners weren’t aware or neglected to apply for inclusion in the program and asked to be included after a time limit had expired. Commissioners said they would prefer not to deal with that any more.
Taxes affected for an Iolan are those levied by the county, city, USD 257 and Allen Community College.
TREASURER Sharon Utley reminded the second half of property tax was due May 10.
People who mail tax payments must have them postmarked by May 10 to avoid penalty. She encouraged taxpayers to bring statements when coming to her office to make payments.
Also, Utley said the motor vehicle division in her office would be closed May 1-8, during statewide switch-over to a new computer system. Property taxes may be paid in the office during that time.
