The Garnett City Commission spent a large amount of time considering establishing a Land Bank, at their meeting Tuesday night, May 24, 2022. They heard from numerous citizens voicing concerns both for and against the establishment of a Land Bank. Commissioner Greg Gein, who has spoken out against the Land Bank idea may times in the past, says the cost is great and gives too much power to the Land Bank itself:
Commissioners Jason Sheahan and Jodi Cole support the Land Bank idea, which would allow the City to take ownership of condemned, run down or abandoned property, (most of which have back taxes pending) and resell it to a developer who, assumedly, would improve the property or build on it, thus getting it back onto the tax roll. In the end, the Commission voted to form a Land Bank and establish an ordinance to finance it at a future Study Session. Sheahan and Cole voting for; Gwin against the motion.
