Tax abatement aids SEIBUS property renovation

MT. PLEASANT — Tuesday morning Henry County Board of Supervisors approved a $5,138 tax abatement for 1405 North Broadway St. as the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission (SEIRPC) intends to use the property for Southeast Iowa Bus (SEIBus) services.

According to SEIRPC Executive Mike Norris, they will use the facility for SEIBUS parking for four to six buses and drivers to use.

“We purchased this in February of 2022,” Norris explained. “The taxes were paid at that time by the seller, and then we had prorated taxes then subsequently paid through March 2023 and requested a reassessment in January 2023 for the process.”

Norris asked the supervisors for the abatement until that reassessment comes through and assured them that this project would benefit the county.

According to Norris SEIRPC has two Department of Transportation grants they intend to use to improve the property.

The July SEIRPC meeting minutes stated that these grants from the Public Transit Infrastructure Grant Program (PTIG) to complete the refurbishing of the property would cover approximately 80% of the cost and the other 20% would come from local funding.

While the SEIRPC originally estimated the project to come in under $600,000, at this point Norris says the total scope for the project is up to $900,000.

“That’s just a reflection of how the supply chain has changed and labor costs and contractors are all busy and that changed our pricing,” Norris said.

According to Norris planned improvements for the property include a new roof, siding, windows and doors. They also will do utility upgrades with electrical service and add concrete aprons and parking.

“We’re going to make the property better without a doubt,” Norris told the supervisors. “ … we are looking forward implementing that plan.”

“ … As a tax-exempt entity, the money that flows in is for the specific purpose for SEIBUS which is transporting the residents,” Norris said. “We just wanted to retain those funds for that purpose instead of flowing them back, but ultimately it would be up to you. We just wanted to come and make the request.”

The supervisors approved the request for the SEIBUS facility unanimously.

According to their website, “SEIBUS is the regional transit provider for Southeast Iowa with service provided throughout Des Moines, Henry, Lee, and Louisa Counties, Monday through Friday.”

These services include on-demand rides for the public with fares of $2.50 one way in town, $5.00 one-way town to town, and $25 for monthly passes.

They provide $30 round-trip medical shuttles from Southeast Iowa to Iowa City and The Eastern Iowa Airport.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com