Unpaid taxes soar 43% to record levels
Staff writer
Inflated appraisals and rising tax rates sent real estate delinquencies soaring to record levels this year.
Compared to last year, 19.3% more properties owe 43.4% more unpaid taxes.
Overall, a record 631 properties owe a record $510,582.66 in real estate taxes for 2023, according to a Record analysis of the county’s official delinquency list published in this week’s newspaper.
That’s in addition to taxes that might still be owed from previous years.
Although large unpaid bills on expensive properties often inflate overall delinquency totals, this year’s delinquencies seem to focus more on smaller properties of more modest value.
Peabody continues to be the county’s most delinquent larger city per capita.
It has by far the largest number of unpaid tax bills — 112, up 13.1% from a year ago.
Marion is next at 88, up 10.0%. It is followed by Florence at 76, up 10.1%, and Hillsboro at 58, up 26.1%.
In dollar amounts, Hillsboro property owners owe the most — $72,030.65, up 39.9% from a year ago.
However, Peabody property owners, though much less numerous, are close behind, owing $70,264.97, down 0.3% from last year.
Marion property owners are third, owing $68,184.06, up 18.0% from last year. Florence property owners are fourth, owing $47,391.44, up a whopping 68.2%.
Here’s a complete breakdown:
|
Cities |
Number |
Amount |
|
Burns |
29 |
18,981.44 |
|
Durham |
4 |
694.10 |
|
Florence |
76 |
47,391.18 |
|
Goessel |
13 |
10,887.47 |
|
Hillsboro |
58 |
72,030.65 |
|
Lehigh |
17 |
9,267.93 |
|
Lincolnville |
21 |
15,459.34 |
|
Lost Springs |
23 |
8,297.40 |
|
Marion |
88 |
68,184.06 |
|
Peabody |
112 |
70,264.97 |
|
Ramona |
14 |
9,846.33 |
|
Tampa |
6 |
4,321.25 |
|
Townships |
||
|
Catlin |
11 |
17,357.81 |
|
Centre |
14 |
12,792.44 |
|
Clark |
8 |
6,600.54 |
|
Clear Creek |
16 |
12,023.04 |
|
Colfax |
3 |
2,332.64 |
|
Doyle |
5 |
26,675.14 |
|
Durham Park |
4 |
3,210.99 |
|
East Branch |
9 |
4,277.94 |
|
Fairplay |
10 |
6,717.34 |
|
Gale |
9 |
4,335.09 |
|
Grant |
15 |
8,253.91 |
|
Lehigh |
3 |
1,558.50 |
|
Liberty |
5 |
5,471.33 |
|
Logan |
5 |
3,692.06 |
|
Lost Springs |
5 |
2,935.98 |
|
Menno |
10 |
11,695.16 |
|
Milton |
2 |
1,761.96 |
|
Moore |
2 |
40.93 |
|
Peabody Twp |
8 |
5,764.77 |
|
Risley |
3 |
993.92 |
|
Summit |
5 |
5,098.26 |
|
West Branch |
10 |
24,023.02 |
|
Wilson |
8 |
7,343.77 |
Individual taxpayers
By far the biggest scofflaw, according to data from the treasurer’s office, is Morning Star Ranch LLC, a camp east of Florence on the Cottonwood River.
In recent years, it has served as a retreat for churches, youth groups, pastors, and their families. According to appraisal records, it was exempt from most real estate taxes until 2023.
The ranch owes $25,705.60 in 2023 taxes on three parcels along Banner Rd. in Doyle Township. The property was sold to its current owners May 27, 2022.
Next are Shane and Shannon Rives, who owe $11,413.69 on two farm parcels near 80th and Limestone Rds. in Catlin Township. Previous year’s taxes on that property appear to have been paid.
Hillsboro Community Child Care Center is third, owing $11,201.73 on a former church building that will become a day-care center at 211 S. Elm St. in Hillsboro.
Like Morning Star Ranch, the property was exempt from most real estate taxes until 2023.
Also in Hillsboro, a partnership that owns Oakwood Manor Apartments, 401 N. Ash St., owes $8,757.09.
Last year, the same partnership was the county’s single largest delinquent taxpayer, owing $9,227.09 on the complex.
According to appraisal records, the complex has not paid real estate taxes for any year since 2020 and paid its 2019 taxes after deadline.
Under county policies, it could qualify for inclusion in a future tax sale if taxes are not paid.
Among other businesses on the list is DLH Enterprises, a partnership primarily owned by Kurt M. Cogburn of Walsh, Colorado. It owes $5,699.96 on two duplexes in the 200 block of S. Lincoln St. in Hillsboro.
The same partnership was on the list in previous years. According to online appraisal data, its 2022 taxes also are unpaid, and it was late in paying taxes for 2019 through 2021.
Variations in specific ownership listings make it difficult to be sure, but these appear to be the other county property owners owing more than $4,000 in unpaid 2023 real estate taxes:
|
Mark and Sara Meisinger |
$7,342.81 |
|
Lyle and Ann Leppke |
7,022.50 |
|
Gary and Lisa Suderman |
6,913.63 |
|
Michael Bass |
6,702.00 |
|
Steven Meyer |
6,550.90 |
|
Helen Selsor trust |
5,615.74 |
|
Ron and Patricia Dirksen |
5,237.72 |
|
Rocky and Shirley Jo Hett |
5.190.77 |
|
Mitchell Moffett |
5,106.40 |
|
Kansas Home Solutions |
4,757.51 |
|
Hett Oil and Gas |
4,755.31 |
|
Laramie Siebert |
4,709.77 |
|
Gerald and Billie Brooks |
4,619.26 |
|
Victor Buckner |
4,457.77 |
|
Ralph and Christine Bestvater |
4,328.36 |
|
Colton Glenn |
4,328.36 |
Other notable entities owing more than $500 include:
- Peabody Main Street Association, owing $1,427.40.
- Joe and Trish Vinduska, owners of Pilsen Packrats, $1,112.03.
- The owner, whose name inexplicably is listed as “restricted,” of property just north of Taco’s Food Truck and That One Place in Marion, $705.75.
- Sherry and Keith Hess, owners of Wagon Wheel Express in Marion, $588.15.
- Sunflower Theater Foundation in Peabody, $546.39.
Data reflect information as initially provided by the treasurer’s office.
Some bills may have been paid since then, and some may appear on the list only because they are enrolled in payment plans that generally are part of mortgage escrow agreements.
Whether it causes embarrassment or serves as a reminder, publication of delinquent tax lists each year typically results in many unpaid bills being cleared up.
The county adds cost of publication to each bill owed.
This year’s list appears in this week’s Classified section. In accordance with state law, it will appear there for three consecutive weeks.