County approves tax abatement for New Vision mill in Magnolia

New Vision Co-Op will expand its grain storage and handling capabilities with an additional grain bin and building structure at its Magnolia feed mill facility this year.
Cost of the expansion is estimated at $2.35 million.
Rock County Commissioners approved a 10-year property tax abatement resolution at their March 22 meeting in a vote of 4-1.
Total amount of the step-down abatement is $74,095 and only includes the county’s portion of the property tax.
Commissioner Stan Williamson cast the dissenting vote.
He looked back at the previous abatement where he cast the deciding vote to approve a 10-year tax abatement for the fertilizer building and grain bin expansion at the Hills location in 2016. Estimated value was $1.2 million.
“There was a vote of 3-2. Commissioners (Ken) Hoime and (Ron) Boyenga voted against it. Three of us voted for it,” Williamson said. “Today — and I think I told you before on other abatements, that 10 years is too long. I can’t do 10 years. I agree, I think my vote was wrong that day when we went 10 years.”
The 2016 abatement was for $5,222 annually for 10 years. Martin Township approved a five-year agreement.
The abatement for the Magnolia expansion is a step-down agreement in which the percentage starts at 100 percent then steps down after five years.
For years one through five, the abatement would be 100 percent of the new construction or $10,585 per year. Year six would decrease to 80 percent ($8,486), year seven to 60 percent ($6,351), year eight to 40 percent ($4,234) and year nine at 20 percent ($2,117).
No one from the public or New Vision Co-Op attended the abatement hearing.
The additional grain bin, located on the east side of the existing facility, will expand the Magnolia Township facility by 1.5 million bushels and allow the facility to load two semitrailer trucks at once.
The 90- by 200-foot building structure will be located next to the existing truck storage facility.
The expansion will add another truck driver and mechanic to the location.
New Vision built the new $16 million feed mill in 2011. Commissioners granted a five-year, $18,900 annual abatement in 2011 that has since expired.
Co-op officials at that time indicated they would need 13 full-time employees at the new facility. They have hired double the amount.
County Administrator Kyle Oldre said none of the neighbors to the feed mill have voiced any opposition to the current expansion plans.
According to the 2021 property tax statement, New Vision pays $137,289 in taxes at the Magnolia facility. The county’s portion is $34,285.