(Spirit Lake)– A tax issue involving Historic Arnolds Park, Incorporated and the Arnolds Park Amusement Park once again came before the Dickinson county board of supervisors today (Tuesday). It stems from an increase in valuations the state ordered on commercial properties in Dickinson county.
The board of directors of Historic Arnolds Park, Incorporated say it was their understanding the park’s property values were to have been frozen as part of the original “save the park” effort several years ago. They say the organization can’t afford the additional taxes the increased valuation would bring and have asked the county to intervene. Assistant County Attorney Lonnie Saunders told the supervisors Iowa code allows for a couple of options. He says the supervisors could take action to lower the assessment in the event a clerical error was made. Saunders says that isn’t the case in this scenario. He says another option would be for Historic Arnolds Park, Incorporated to file a petition with the county showing the organization doesn’t have the ability to pay the additional tax. They would have until March 1st to file the paperwork. Dick Ramsey, a Historic Arnolds Park, Incorporated board member, said it’s something they’ll probably pursue.
