Staff writer
Marion County Commission signed a letter drafted to Kansas congressmen Bob Brookens, Jay Emler, and Jeff Longbine asking them to vote against a bill for a tax exemption.
House Bill 2501 would allow businesses to claim fixed machinery as personal property, exempt for businesses, instead of claiming it as part of a property, which is how it is currently taxed, County Appraiser Cindy Magill said.
“It would erode the tax base,” Magill said. “Mill levies would have to increase.”
A few years ago the personal property exemption was passed and cost the county $700,000. The Kansas Department of Revenue agreed to reimburse counties some of the lost revenue with a sliding payment plan, but only one payment was actually made, Magill said.
Holub said if this exemption would pass it had the potential to cost the county even more.
“The burden will go to residential property owners,” Magill said.