GARNETT — The Anderson County Review reported that during a time of economic distress, some Anderson County taxpayers are looking at the tax abatements that have been given to county businesses – including the biggest abatement given to the East Kansas Agri Energy ethanol plant in Garnett. Garnett city manager Joyce Martin said some people have said that the tax break to the ethanol plant should have been smaller and shorter. Although the city is foregoing money from property taxes on the ethanol plant, it still provides revenue to the city that prevented tax increases for other taxpayers, she said. The plant pays a business commodity tax and buys water from the city and has worked with the city on improvements to the city wastewater treatment plant, she said. The plant does pay some property taxes on later improvements done after the tax abatement was issued, she said.
Tuesday, July 27, 1 p.m.
