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.