Neighborhood Revitalization Program:
The Basics

What is the proposed Republic County Neighborhood Revitalization Plan?

It is a tool we can use to encourage growth of the local economy and the county property tax base.

The plan awards property tax rebates to Republic County taxpayers who make investments that significantly improve real property.

The rebates transfer with the sale of the property.

The plan proposes a 5-year rebate schedule.  The annual rebates of taxes paid on the new investment are 95%, 90%, 70%, 40%, & 20%, respectively.

Who and What qualifies for the rebates?

• Any Republic County taxpayer who is current on all property taxes, penalties, & assessments, and

• whose investment in real property creates a $30,000 increase in its appraised value.

• The investment can be in any sector of the economy:  commercial, residential, industrial, and agricultural.

• The property cannot be in a TIF or Rural Housing Incentive District.

When does this plan take effect?

A lead taxing entity will adopt the plan.  The other taxing entities participating in the plan will sign on through an Interlocal Agreement.  This process could begin as soon as the lead entity is ready to act.

Only projects started in 2011 may submit an application.

How long does this plan remain in force?

The plan expires in 5 years.  To extend the plan, the taxing entities must take positive action.  The Neighborhood Revitalization Committee will review and report on the effectiveness of the plan to the parties involved prior to December 31, 2015.
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How does the plan work?

Taxpayers must apply. 

• Application forms will be available at the County Clerk’s office and through the City offices throughout the County where building permits are issued. 
• The taxpayer will submit the form to the County Clerk.

The County Clerk and the County Appraiser will review the initial application to determine eligibility.

• The County Clerk will make sure the applicant is current on all property tax obligations.
• The Appraiser will ensure that the property is not in a TIF or RHI District.
• The County Clerk will send a form letter accepting or rejecting the initial application based on these two criteria.

When construction is complete, the applicant will fill out Part 2 of the application stating that the work is done.

• When construction is not completed within the application year, the taxpayer will bear the increase in taxes for that year without rebate.
• The County Appraiser will determine the appraised value of the new construction and note it on Part 2 of the application.
• If the appraised value of the new construction is $30,000 or more, and the applicant is current on all property taxes, the rebate is approved.
• The County Clerk will send a form letter to the applicant stating whether or not the application for property tax rebates has been approved.

Rebates will not be issued until the end of Year 2 or the beginning of Year 3.

• In Year 2, the appraised values for the eligible new construction will be submitted to Manatron (the county’s tax service agency) along with the new appraised values for all properties.
• Manatron will provide budgeting information to the county’s taxing entities that show the values subject to rebate.
• Taxes will be billed at the end of Year 2.
• Taxpayers will make payment at the end of Year 2 or the beginning of Year 3.
• Taxes to be rebated will be accounted for in a separate Neighborhood Revitalization Fund.

When the owner of a qualifying property has paid ALL property taxes owed, the County will issue a check for the rebate on the eligible investment.