The nerd in me likes combing over city reports in search for tidbits. I found a couple today in last month’s financial report and a curious abatement request in the city council agenda.
First with the financial report, it seems we were down from last year in April, but still up for the year, barely. I suspect though we will come out ahead by year’s end. But I also think that the recession has hit Sioux Falls, and will still be affecting us next year at this time. The one thing I have noticed about South Dakota is the recession recovery takes longer, because of our modest lifestyles and lack of middleclass wealth. It will be interesting to watch the budget hearings for 2010.
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April                      2009                     2008
Sales/Use Tax   2,810,791            2,848,615
CIP TAXÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2,586,144Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2,620,749
ENT. Tax             316,418                329,390
Lodging Tax       46,289                  30,731
Total YTD
Sales/Use Tax   12,936,792          12,773,818
CIP TAX Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 11,902,105Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 11,752,056
ENT. Tax              1,463,368            1,382,215
Lodging Tax       148,798                 126,698
In the city council agenda, I found and interesting property tax abatement request;
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Lifelight Communications Inc., 2601 S. Western Avenue, for 2008 property taxes in the amount of $8,479.51. Lifelight was granted exempt status in 2009 and they are now requesting abatement for the 362 days owned in 2008.
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While I don’t have a problem with non-profits getting tax exempt status to get a relief in taxes, I find it curious that Lifelight would buy property without having the status setup first to get this tax relief. I’m kind of on the fence about the abatement, since it isn’t very much, but will be curious what LifeLight’s argument will be at the meeting. I guess if I was establishing a non-profit, I would get my status in check before buying property, but hey, what do I know, I’m just a heathen.
l3wis 
