Appeals board rules in CKC land dispute
The Marion County Commission were informed Monday through a memo by county attorney Susan Robson of a decision by the state board of tax appeals regarding the Central Kansas Conservancy.
Railroad right-of-way easements were obtained by the CKC in 1997 by quit claim deed.
Marion County and McPherson County filed a protest against the CKC with the board of tax appeals regarding ad valorem taxes paid by CKC on vacant parcels of land located in the two counties.
The findings stated when land ceases to be used for railway purposes, the land is returned to the owner prior to its use for railway purposes.
The board finds CKC is the interim owner of various railroad right-of-way easements that were originally acquired for railroad purposes. There is no evidence in the record to indicate that either the railroads, as prior owner, or CKC, as interim use owner, owns any of the real estate.
All ad valorem real property taxes paid by CKC will be refunded. The property taxes will become the responsibility of the land owner who owns the adjoining and surrounding property.
Dianna Carter-Frantz, county appraiser, said the tax amount levied to the property owners will be minimal due to the size of the parcel and the land use.
