Citing an alignment with the Great Bend Recreation Commission’s strategic plan goals, the GBRC board Monday approved a request to opt into a proposed Barton County-wide Neighborhood Revitalization Plan agreement.
The request to approve the proposed agreement was a late addition to Monday afternoon’s agenda, Executive Director Diann Henderson told the board, after having received a request for approval from the Barton County Appraiser’s Office late last week.
“We’ve always recognized the value of the NRP program, and we have participated in that program in the past,” Henderson told the board.
The county-wide proposal, set to take effect Jan. 1, 2022, was officially approved by the Barton County Commission at its Sept. 28 meeting and was submitted to the county’s other taxing districts for approval. These include area cities, school districts, recreation commissions, townships and Barton Community College, as well as fire, cemetery, hospital, extension, watershed and library districts.
Henderson told the board participation in the proposed county-wide program aligns with one of the rec commission’s strategic plan goals to, “foster economic development through many means, including promoting community revitalization.”
The program uses tax rebates to encourage people to improve their existing property and develop new properties within Barton County. The rebate on the new tax for the resulting added valuation of residential and commercial (including agricultural) properties that qualify.
For residential, a minimum of $10,000 must be invested, and the completed project must increase the parcel’s assessed value by 5%. For commercial properties, the minimum investment is $20,000 and the completed project must increase the assessed value by 10%. Henderson told the board the county’s plan includes five-year, eight-year, and 10-year terms depending on the target demographic.
“Through a tax rebate program, it reduces the property tax individuals pay on improved properties,” Henderson said.
Previously, Henderson noted, GBRC had opted into the City of Great Bend’s city-wide NRP plan. However, Great Bend’s plan, as well as other Barton County municipal NRP’s, was set to expire at the end of the year.
Once all parties have signed the interlocal agreement, the plan will be sent to the Kansas Attorney General for final approval.
Meeting at a Glance:
Here’s a quick look at what the Great Bend Recreation Commission did Monday:
• Danielle Hollingshead, representing accounting firm Adams Brown, presented the audit report to the board, noting the commission received an unmodified opinion, which Hollingshead told the board is the highest opinion the firm can give on an audit, meaning the audit was found to be free of “material misstatements.”
• The board approved the purchase of a Freenotes Pegasus musical instrument for MyBackyard playground in the amount of $5,157, to replace a piece damaged due to vandalism.
• The board approved an agreement from KSHSAA to host the 2022 2A-1A baseball and softball state tournaments at the Great Bend Sports Complex May 26-27, 2022.
• The board approved an update to indoor soccer rules specifically applied to instructional levels for the upcoming winter season.
• GBRC Assistant Director Chris Umphres updated the board on the progress of the sports complex turf project. Barring weather and other unforeseen circumstances, the construction is ahead of schedule and should be completed on time.
• The board heard regular monthly department head reports from Umphres, Aquatics and Enrichment Director Megan Hammeke, and Enrichment & Activity Center Director Garet Fitzpatrck.
• In her monthly attendance report, Executive Director Diann Henderson said attendance was down slightly due to the floor refinishing project, which was completed at both Rec facilities in September.
