Infighting over solar farm property taxes continues in Pulaski County

(KY3)
Published: Nov. 17, 2017 at 9:28 PM CST
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It's been a week of infighting between the county commission in Pulaski County and the city of Waynesville, and it's all over whether or or not the solar panel farm should have to pay property taxes.

It all started last Thursday at the county commission meeting when the assessor brought the issue up to the commissioners.

But the city says they're being dragged through the mud.

"We sent them a bill this year, the collector did, and they contacted me last Thursday morning and told me they would not pay this bill, that they are not taxable due to an agreement they made with the city of Waynesville," said Daniel Whittle, Pulaski County Assessor.

That agreement, was a payment in lieu of taxes - or PILT - agreement. The city was payed $230,000 by MC Power to help pay the cost of the installation, but the county says the City acted as the County for that agreement.

But they city says, "that's not true."

"Our agreement with MC Power, our agreement with the solar farm did not involve the county," said Bruce Harrill, Waynesville City Administrator.

The county says due to the property's appraised value, MC Power shoudl be paying over $39,000 per year, over $28,000 of which would go to the school district.

The county says since the company resells the power from the solar farm, they should have to pay taxes.

"It is my understanding and it is my belief, and it is my job to protect the taxpayers in the county and try to get all tax base, through tangible property or through real estate personal property," Whittle added.

They city says per state law - House Bill Number 142 - since the land belongs to the city, it is tax exempt for state county or local purposes.

"So, if they have an issue of how the taxation on solar farms and other things, I think that's probably an issue they need to take up with our state government," Harrill said.

"I personally believe that green energy is a good thing for our community, a good thing for our nation, and a good thing for the state of Missouri."

Mayor Luge Hardman says she is disheartened over this, and said the county never called them before bringing this up last Thursday.

The county says they have reached out to the state Attorney General to get more information on the matter.