WEEKEND EDITION
Friday
October 11, 2013
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SPORTS, page 1S
Ag land assessments soar for 2014 property taxes
One seriously injured in Green Valley spillway accident Thursday
By JAKE WADDINGHAM CNA staff reporter
jwaddingham@crestonnews.com
A substantial increase in Union County’s agricultural land and building valuation may cause an increase in property taxes for the fall of 2014, but statewide regulations will minimize the impact. The Iowa Department of Revenue’s final percentage adjustments for 2013 valuations saw a 33.88 percent increase for agricultural land and 15 percent increase for agricultural buildings. “The Haner reason for the increase is agricultural land is valued on productivity, not sale price,” said Union County Assessor Gene Haner. “It is averaged on a five-year process, plus two years in arrears.” This means the 2013 valuation of agricultural land and buildings is based on the 2007-2011 production averages. More than 20 years ago, the Iowa Legislature passed an assessment limitation law called rollback to combat high inflation rates
Contributed photo
Union County sheriff deputies stand by after an accident 5:18 p.m. Thursday, with one injured and transported to Des Moines. Benjamin Arno Friederichs, 18, of Walcott was cited for failure to maintain control after the accident at Green Valley Lake spillway on 140th Street. According to a Union County Sheriff report, Friederichs, driving a 2004 Ford, failed to navigate the curve before the bridge at Green Valley Lake spillway. After losing control of the vehicle, he ran into the bridge’s guard rail on the south side and the vehicle flipped into the spillway, landing on its top. Friederichs and passenger Ramiro Palomares Jr., 18, 1501 W. Townline St., were transported to Greater Regional Medical Center and released. Passenger Tailor Greer, 18, 1501 W. Townline St., was transported to Greater Regional Medical Center before being flown by helicopter to Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, where he is in fair, but stable, condition. Damage estimate to Friederichs’ vehicle is $10,000.
PRESERVING HISTORY Architect Matt Coen — former Crestonian — will investigate what structural and cosmetic upgrades are needed at the restored Creston Depot ■
By KYLE WILSON
CNA asst. managing editor kwilson@crestonnews.com
Creston’s “architectural gem” may soon get a facelift. Creston City Council recently voted to allow an architectural firm to begin investigating what structural and cosmetic upgrades are needed at the restored Creston Depot. Mike Taylor, city administrator, said plaster is coming off the walls and a few windows are beginning to rot. He said it’s important to restore the building properly, or it will lose value. Thus, the city has acquired the services of Matt Coen of Walker Coen Lorentzen — an architectural firm based in Des Moines. Matt Coen — a graduate of Iowa State University — is familiar with Creston. He and his parents Craig and Linda lived here until he was 5 years old. He is the nephew of dentist Dan Coen and furniture store owner Mike Coen. “My roots grow deep in
on residential and agricultural property. The rollback is applied to a class of property, not on an individual basis, so the statewide total taxable value can only increase 4 percent because of revaluation. Haner said the assessment cycle takes 18 months to complete and takes place every two years. Once the county auditor publishes the equalization order, taxpayers have until Oct. 25 to protest to local boards of review. Then local taxing authorities adopt budgets based on the land valuations so by March 2014, all taxing entities can set levies. The first half of taxes for the newly assessed valuation is due by Sept. 30, 2014.
Residential property While agricultural land and structures made a large jump, residential and commercial realty had no adjustments for the 2013 actual values. The Iowa Department of Revenue is responsible for equalizing assessments. The department compares each county’s assessment with a sales assessment ratio study. Please see TAXES, Page 2
High Lakes banquet CNA file photo
Creston City Council recently voted to allow an architectural firm to begin investigating what structural and cosmetic upgrades are needed at the restored Creston Depot, pictured above.
Creston,” C o e n s a i d , “and I’m excited about the opportunity to be part of Coen this project. It’s my understanding this is one of two depots remaining (in the United States) built by Burnham and Root. We think it’s an architectural gem. It’s a solidly-built depot, and we are going to ensure it continues to be an asset to this community and lives a long future.”
Building history
Creston’s restored depot was designed by ar-
chitects Daniel Burnham and John Wellborn Root — among the nation’s most distinguished architects in the 19th century. It was adorned “a magnificent passenger station” by the public, according to Union County historical records. The depot has concrete footings and rubble foundation. The exterior walls are cut stone to the windowsills, and above it’s built of St. Louis pressed brick. A heavy, copper cornice caps the exterior walls. The roof attracts special attention because of it’s semiglazed tile. The depot received recognition in 1974 when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It is one of six structures in Union County to receive that honor. The other five are Iowana Hotel, Gibson Memorial Library, Grand River Bridge, Jefferson Elementary School and the former U.S. Post Office (now Maple Street Memories).
Process starts
Coen said 1977 was the last time the depot received any major renovations. Kevin Kruse, Creston public works director, said Coen was in Creston Wednesday surveying the building. “He was here yesterday looking around and taking pictures,” Kruse said.
Prime-rib dinner:
CNA photo by KYLE WILSON
Brad Jones, owner of Up in Smoke in Afton, left, serves a piece of smoked prime rib to Marriah Love of Lorimor Thursday evening during the annual High Lakes Outdoor Alliance (HLOA) banquet held at Three Mile Lodge. About 300 people attended the event. HLOA is a non-profit organization — established in 2005 — that raises money to promote and enhance outdoor activities in Union County.
Please see DEPOT, Page 2
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Volume 130 No. 87 Copyright 2013
Contact us 2013
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Contents
Heloise Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Community . . . . . . . . . 1B-3B Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Deaths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Fall Car Care. . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1S-3S
Weekend weather High 68 Low 40 Full weather report, 3A