Caledonia Argus

County wonít hold tax abatement hearing

Posted: 8/19/03

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

The Houston County Board has decided against a tax abatement for the new Witt Pharmacy which is now under construction in Caledonia.

ìI donít want to be anti-business, but you canít give it to everyone,î commented Commissioner Kevin Kelleher. Commissioner David Corcoran agreed.

ìIf itís not going to be built without it, itís a tool to use,î he commented, noting that the building is up.

The countyís economic development committee had recommended to the board that it schedule a public hearing, a step that is necessary in the tax abatement process.

ìItís a question of whether you should honor their recommendation,î said Commissioner Ann Thompson, who represents Caledonia.

A motion was made to deny a public hearing on the Witt tax abatement. The vote was 4-1, with Commissioner Thompson voting against the denial.

Had the abatement eventually gone through, the county would have abated about $12,000 in taxes over the next 10 years.

Earlier this month, the Caledonia City Council approved a tax abatement for Witt Pharmacy that amounts to $6,900 over the next 10 years.

Local man plans center for juveniles

At its meeting of August 5, the board heard from Norman Snodgrass of Caledonia, who told commissioners that he plans to establish a juvenile detention and rehabilitation center four miles west of Caledonia. He said that before he proceeds with his plans, he wanted to know if the county would be interested in using the facility.

Sheriff Mike Lee commented that very few counties have such facilities.

ìItís a real tough problem,î he said. The nearest facilities, such as Red Wing, are always full, he said.

ìThereís a real need for this,î said Lee. ìNo one has ever done it privately.î

Snodgrass said that he has a background in the military and plans to operate at least part of the facility in a ìboot campî style. He noted that federal funds are available for training, and that the facility would be secure and ringed by a 9 ft. high chain link fence. He said he wasnít sure if the center would be able to take females, which would require a different wing. Juveniles would stay at the center between 90 and 120 days.

ìThere is a ton of planning involved,î said Snodgrass.

Commissioners indicated that the county would probably make use of the facility if it were built.

Top of Page