By ANDY GOODELL
OSKALOOSA — At Monday’s Oskaloosa City Council meeting, the council approved a measure that will hopefully attract business to within the city’s limits.
The council approved a resolution approving applications for residential tax abatement. The resolution approves the applications for residential tax abatement. The added value, determined by the county assessor, is abated for five years.
The first year it is abated at 80 percent, the second year it’s abated at 65 percent, third year at 50 percent, fourth year at 35 percent and fifth year at 20 percent.
This means there will be added value with abated taxes for five years, according to this schedule.
Oskaloosa City Manger Michael Schrock Jr. explained what this could mean for Oskaloosa.
“The item tonight is a philosophy,” said Schrock. “It’s an economic development policy. This might be the tool to bring people away from building in the county and into the city.”
Councilman Tom Walling agreed.
In other business, the council:
• Heard an annual report from Sherry Vavra, director of Mahaska County Recreation Foundation.
• Approved a request from Oskaloosa Chamber and Development Group for approval of 2010 calendar events.
• Approved a public hearing to amend the zoning ordinance of the city of Oskaloosa by rezoning the property located at 2064 245th St. from CC, community commercial district to CC, community commercial district with CP, conditional planned use overlay district.
• Approved a resolution adopting the proposed 2009-10 budget amendment and proposed 2010-11 budget and setting public hearing.
• Approved a resolution for applications for residential tax abatement.
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Herald City Editor Andy Goodell can be reached at news2@oskyherald.com
