Walmart Builds Next Door and Neighbors Taxes Go From $16k to $99k

[palani]

Golf pro loses business, blames tax struggles

http://www.qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=650432


SILVIS -- Kurt Kretchman said death and taxes go hand-in-hand, at least for the business he lost along with his retirement money.

The former owner of Protential Golf Center, 2001 John Deere Road, Silvis, Mr. Kretchman, 63, said he could not pay his taxes on the 30-acre property when they rose 600 percent from 2007 to 2008.He attributed the jump to the Silvis Walmart which opened its doors next to his former business in March 2008.

"I lost my business I had for 13 years, and my land, and my retirement, because somebody built a new store next to my property," he said."They (Rock Island County) taxed me out of everything."

Hampton Township Assessor James Cramblett, who made the assessment change, said his decision was based on similar commercial properties in that area of the Illinois 5/John Deere Road corridor. According to Rock Island County Supervisor of Assessments Larry Wilson, Mr. Kretchman's property was revalued by Mr. Cramblett in 2007 from $167,587 to $1,051,521.

Mr. Kretchman's property tax bill went from $16,000 in 2007 to $99,000 in 2008.

[Son-of-Liberty]

The taxes on the property seem ridiculously high. 10% of the value? Why is anyone in that area paying their tax bill at all? Around here residential is about 1% and commercial 2% maybe slightly more but not by much.

[Publico]

I thought golf courses were taxed at the same rate as farm land.

[MNeagle]

I don't think 30 acres is big enough for a golf course, he probably had a driving range & a pro shop. I'm guessing he also tried to ride out the financial crash instead of getting out as soon as he saw the new tax bill. Oh, and Wal-Mart? Probably received tax incentives to build in that town!!

[MNeagle]

ah, the rest of the story at OP link!
Mr. Kretchman said he paid $99,000 in property taxes in 2008. He paid $92,000 in 2009, $94,000 in 2010, $73,000 in 2011 and $58,000 in 2012.

[Spectrism]

Property taxes are a direct violation to private property. They are criminal. They say you own nothing but lease it from the government.

[chad]

one word: illinois

[osoab]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw64hRgLBqM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw64hRgLBqM

[Son-of-Liberty]

I am still blown away by the level of taxation. Almost 10% of the property value on a yearly basis? What level of services could the municipality possibly be providing that they could justify that? Sounds like a great way to cripple a local economy to me.

The guy in the article is a damn fool for living in an area with that level of taxation.

Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice.....

[osoab]

Here's the current assessment for the property. http://www.rockislandcounty.org/TaxAddrZipSearch.aspx?ADDR=2001+John+Deere+Express wa&ZIP=61282 I cannot get any property tax information on the property. Seems to be bank owned as far as I can tell. Doesn't look like there is a high assessment value either.

Here's where I got the address. http://www.thegolfnexus.com/golf_practice_facilities/1611

You don't think the TPC Deere Run course just to the South East might have something to do with his valuation?
https://maps.google.com/maps/myplaces?ll=41.489388,-90.397139&spn=0.026553,0.066047&gl=us&ctz=300&t=h&z=15

[Cebu_4_2]

one word: illinois

For once I have to agree, most MSM outlets and independant sites issue IL as a problem state. I will never visit it again, even if I had to. Same goes for other states and DC. Texas is on the boiler list too, they seem to have multiple laws in every county and nothing is streamlined between them.

[FreeEnergy]

Golf pro loses business, blames tax struggles

"I lost my business I had for 13 years, and my land, and my retirement, because somebody built a new store next to my property," he said."They (Rock Island County) taxed me out of everything."

Hampton Township Assessor James Cramblett, who made the assessment change, said his decision was based on similar commercial properties in that area of the Illinois 5/John Deere Road corridor. According to Rock Island County Supervisor of Assessments Larry Wilson, Mr. Kretchman's property was revalued by Mr. Cramblett in 2007 from $167,587 to $1,051,521.

Mr. Kretchman's property tax bill went from $16,000 in 2007 to $99,000 in 2008.

Oh cry me a river.

His property got revalued UP 6.5 times in how long?
Clearly someone wanted that land and was ok with paying $1 million + for it. He should've sold when golden opportunity presented.

He's a small guy , he doesn't sell = he's in the fight. I am sure Walmarts and such have their own ways to strip people like him from property they want, 10% tax is one of them. .SHould've recognized it and sold.

[Uncle Salty]

Oh cry me a river.

His property got revalued UP 6.5 times in how long?
Clearly someone wanted that land and was ok with paying $1 million + for it. He should've sold when golden opportunity presented.

He's a small guy , he doesn't sell = he's in the fight. I am sure Walmarts and such have their own ways to strip people like him from property they want, 10% tax is one of them. .SHould've recognized it and sold.

That is what I was thinking. Sell the property for more than a million. I wonder if he tried.

[Twisted Titan]

Or even sell it at a " firesale" of 750k and get a meager 5 bagger

Its not like this was his private residence

[Horn]

That is what I was thinking. Sell the property for more than a million. I wonder if he tried.

Sounds like it was built to provide years of income into retirement, not a flash in the pan that would also be heavily taxed upon withdraw of gains.

He simply shouldn't have paid the taxes, especially after everything was accessed lower the following year. A credit from the previous year should've been applied, or a return to the prior year 167k implemented automatically.

Of course taxing the land is a stupid proposition in the first place, as it takes away nonparticipating freedom. Any gains from it should be elected as participatory such as schools and roads.

If Palani wants to get to Wal-Mart he has to walk or horse through the woods, while also avoiding my property.