County Board Approves Sound System for Courthouse Square; Land Bank Approved After Long Discussion
Land Bank Update
August 18, 2015
In other Christian County Board action, the big topic of discussion was the possibility of the City of Pana and the County to apply for available grant funding for blighted properties.
Attorney Steven Mahrt of Ancel Glink of Bloomington, Illinois came and spoke about the steps necessary in order to accomplish a grant application and also answered questions that Board members had.
Pana Mayor Steve Sipes was also in attendance and told the Board in a recent committee meeting that the City and County could form a not-for-profit agency by an intergovernmental agreement like the Cook County Land Bank.
After a lengthy discussion, the Board decided to move on with plans with a joint agreement with the City of Pana and the Board in establishing a Land Bank.
There was also a motion where a $1,000 rental fee will be used to create the Land Bank. Schmitz said the County will be the Land Bank and will hold the property for the City of Pana and the County. Ten properties will be identified to be torn down and will be back on tax rolls, where the tax money will be received by Pana and the County.
Source: Taylorville Daily News