County board approves tax exemptions

The Cheyenne County commissioners and board of equalization approved tax exemptions at its meeting on Tuesday.

County Assessor Louella Pippitt presented for consideration and approval the tax exemptions on real and personal property by qualifying organizations. Every four years citizens and organizations re-apply, disclose new members and report changes in an application to qualify for charitable, educational or religious tax exemptions.

According to Pippitt, in the intervening years between applications, applicants file affidavits that they are still under tax exemption status.

Notices were sent out at the end of November and applications were due by Jan. 1. According the exemption application, applicants with late filings must pay a penalty of 10 percent of the tax that would have been assessed had the waiver been denied or $100, whichever is the lesser amount.

Applications for tax exemption were approved by the board, giving applicants who were denied 30 days to appeal the decision. The applications will also be reviewed by the Department of Revenue.

The commissioners also approved special liquor license requests for the Sidney Shooting Park to hold its annual fundraiser April 16, in addition to the Cheyenne County Boss Gobblers' event on March 11. Both events are set to be held at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds.

The commissioners also approved Royce McConnell's request to hold his auction at the fairgrounds on March 26.

The commissioners discussed in detail the the appointment of a Cheyenne County public defender and guardian ad litem. They approved the processes of bids for the positions. Recommendations for all four will be made at the March 21 commissioners meeting.

Also at the meeting, the commissioners:

• Approved a motion to establish a diversion program for truancy, which was presented by County Attorney Paul Schaub.

• Approved a permit submitted by Union Pacific Railroad to reconstruct/rebuild a bridge west of town that was damaged in the Dec. 21 train derailment.

• Approved an application from Dennis Beyer, president of Beyer-Keil Wheatlands, Inc., for a subdivision zoning change from agricultural to residential. The 12.02 acre subdivision is located north of the Sioux Army Depot.

• Heard a Cheyenne County resident discuss prairie dog control in an effort to combat this problem on his property. A letter will be sent out to the adjacent neighbor by Schaub.

• Heard Highway Superintendent Doug Hart present informal quotes for approval to purchase gravel for armor coating to the roads. A bid from Kimball Sand and Gravel was approved.

• The next Cheyenne County commissioners meeting is set for 8 a.m. on Monday, March 7, in the Commissioners' Room at the Cheyenne County Courthouse.