Hills-Beaver Creek School District joins county housing initiative

Hills-Beaver Creek School Board members agreed at their Monday night meeting to abate taxes for new homes in the district.
The Rock County Home Initiative, as it’s called, encourages new housing construction in Rock County through a five-year tax abatement program.
Rock County commissioners approved the initiative in September, and the city of Beaver Creek followed suit. Now residents within the Hills-Beaver Creek School District are also eligible for the program.
Superintendent Todd Holthaus said that similar tax abatement programs are available in the Adrian and Windom school districts.
He said experience in those districts is that current residents build the new homes and their previous residences are sold to families of school-aged children.
“I think it is really a win-win for the district,” said board member Ethan Rozeboom.
Taxes are abated for five years and apply only to the increased value of the property. Taxes continue to be paid on the property based on its valuation prior to the new construction.
“It’s not taking money away from the school district, it’s money that’s not being utilized yet,” Holthaus said.
Applications must be completed at the district office, and a public hearing by the school board must be conducted to consider any abatement requests.
The abatement doesn’t apply to voter-approved levies or referendums.
After the abatement ends in five years, the district receives taxes on the total real estate value of the new home.
School board members voted in favor of joining the initiative program. Dan LaRock was not present during the board vote. Tami Rauk abstained from the vote due to a potential conflict of interest.
The initiative is available now through Sept. 1, 2024.
To be eligible, all property must be located within the school district, current property taxes must be paid on time and in full, and program approval must be obtained prior to the start of new housing construction.
 
In other business, the board:
•changed the next meeting dates to Wednesday, Oct. 30, and to Tuesday, Nov. 12. Both meetings begin at 7 p.m.
•accepted the resignation of Glenda Kuehl as Mock Trial coach.
•hired Megan Klumper as Mock Trial coach for the 2019-20 school year.