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This is an incentive program to encourage improvements within the City of Fort Scott’s historic downtown and older neighborhoods.
 The Neighborhood Revitalization Program enables participating taxing entities (City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County, USD 234, Fort Scott Community College) to target areas within the city for property tax rebates. The purpose of the program is to stimulate investment in Fort Scott’s historic downtown as well as older neighborhoods. A 90% property tax rebate over 5 years may be given based upon the incremental increase in appraised value resulting from improvements made to a property in those targeted areas.
Q. How does the tax rebate work?
A. The tax rebate is a refund of the additional property taxes caused by a qualified improvement. The taxes relating to the assessed value on the property prior to the improvement are still payable.
Q. What kind of improvements will increase the assessed value?
A. New construction, additions, and major rehabilitations will increase the assessed value. Maintenance generally will not increase assessed value unless there are several major repairs completed at the same time.
Q. Are there incentives for historic preservation projects?
A. The program offers an additional benefit to structures listed on the National Historic Register, the State Historic Register, or to buildings that are classified as "contributors" to the Downtown Fort Scott Historic District. Qualifying projects will receive a 100% rebate for 10 years.
Q. What is a “qualified improvement?”
A. Qualified improvements include any construction, rehabilitation or additions that increase the appraised valuation of the property by more than 15% as determined by the Bourbon County Appraiser’s Office. A qualified improvement must:
- Be in the rebate area (see map).
- The improvements must conform to the City of Fort Scott’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Zoning Ordinance in effect at the time the improvements are made.
- All improvements must conform to all applicable building codes, rules and regulations in effect at the time the improvements are made and for the length of the rebate or the rebate may be terminated. Contact the Codes Officer at 620-223-0550.
- Any property that is delinquent in any tax payment or special assessment shall not be eligible for any rebate or future rebate until such time as all taxes and special assessments have been paid. Eligibility is not retroactive.
- Applicants in the downtown and/or within 500 feet of a property on the Historic Register must have prior approval of their improvements by the Fort Scott Design & Review Board and/or SHPO.
Application must be made within 60 days of issuance of the building permit or revitalization certificate.
Q. What else should I know?
A. Improvements to the property must remain in good standing throughout the rebate time period. You are required by law to claim the rebate as income on your Federal and State income taxes.
Questions/Information?
Dale Bunn, Economic Development Director
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
620/223-0550
1 East 3rd Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
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