OTTAWA — Franklin County commissioners – like many commissioners in other counties — are sounding the alarm about two legislative bills that would give energy companies and utilities a huge property tax break and would shift a major part of the cost to business and homeowners’ property taxes. County commissioners talked about the bills during Wednesday’s joint government meeting and the county meeting, and they urged Ottawa city commissioners and school board members to contact area legislators immediately. County Commissioner Steve Harris said if the bills became law, they would have as big an effect on Franklin County taxpayers as much as those in surrounding counties. However, the bills would virtually eliminate property taxes on power plants, ethanol plants and other energy-producing companies – which would create huge swifts to other taxpayers, he said. The bills would have a smaller impact on Franklin County, he said. The bills are a result of a property tax dispute that Montgomery County won against a company that owns a nitrogen plant in Coffeyville. The bills are Senate Bill 317 and House Bill 2501 and they’re identical.
Thursday, Feb. 16, 4 p.m.
