Assessor Lane has been hard a work today trying to find out about the Howe's Leather Property. He even called the GVEDC. He is still waiting on Tax Department info but here is where this stands and it is not good news.
It seems that some kind of deal was made in the past to transfer ownership of 5.1 acres at Howes and about 1 acre for the propane company. These were transferred to the GVEDC and they get all the money from the renters.Tom does assess the propane people's personal property.
Likewise, with Meck's property. These deals were made when the county had a development authority. That authority disbanded some time ago. David Cain, a member of the authority at the time has assumed the name Pocahontas County Development Authority for his personal real estate business. He now buys up tax property in that name. You will see that he has purchased some forfeited real estate through the Pocahontas County Development Authority.
We question the legality of this but don't know where to turn.
Meanwhile, GVEDC continues to get tens of thousands a year from Sun Propane, Interstate, and Jacob Meck. They all are considering tax exempt by the terms of the various agreements with the county and the GVEDC.
We thank Tom for his help with this.
§7-12-9a. Joint undertakings by county development authorities.
(a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the citizens of the state would benefit from coordinated economic development efforts and that to encourage cooperation and coordination, county economic development authorities should share in the tax revenues derived from joint programs regardless of the county in which they are located.
(a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the citizens of the state would benefit from coordinated economic development efforts and that to encourage cooperation and coordination, county economic development authorities should share in the tax revenues derived from joint programs regardless of the county in which they are located.
(b) Any three or more county development authorities may contract to share expenses for and revenues derived from joint economic development projects within their respective geographic territories. Notwithstanding any other section of the code to the contrary, county development authorities may contract to distribute on a pro rata basis proceeds derived from joint economic development projects.
(c) Each county development authority participating in a joint economic development project contract must contribute at least fifteen thousand dollars in cash to the project.
(d) In the event that a county development authority desires to withdraw from participation, then the remaining participants may jointly choose a successor. No withdrawing county development authority shall be entitled to the return of any money or property advanced to the project, unless specifically provided for in the contract.
(e) In the event that a joint economic development project is terminated, all funds, property and other assets shall be returned to the county development authorities in the same proportion as contributions of funds, property and other assets were made by the county development authorities.
(f) A grant, which may not exceed one hundred thousand dollars, may be made by the West Virginia development office to any county economic development authority which enters into such contracts.
Why don't you write a letter to Attorney General Morrisey? He is an activist who would not tolerate any back-door illegal agreements such as tax exemption on commercial property. He would certainly be quicker than the Tax Department.
ReplyDelete