KANSAS CITY, KAN. -
The bad economy means Wyandotte County is facing a million dollar shortfall in its budget. The government says it is going after big businesses in the county that owe back taxes.
Nebraska Furniture Mart executives are going on the defensive. They held a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
Nebraska Furniture Mart says it is not to blame for Wyandotte County budget problems.
Bob Batt says Nebraska Furniture Mart paid its taxes through '03, '04, '05 and most of '06 while it was appealing what it calls grossly overvalued assessments. It's still appealing the '08 taxes, but has not paid since the middle of '06.
Wyco puts the assessment at about $80 million. Nebraska Furniture Mart experts say it should be closer to $29 million.
Two different appeals courts agreed with Nebraska Furniture Mart. They feel they have already overpaid and shouldn't have to pay more even though the amount the Unified Government is still appealing the ruling to a higher court.
The Unified Government says by law Nebraska Furniture Mart has to pay even if they think they are paying too much. If Nebraska Furniture Mart wins the appeal, the Unified Government has to pay it back.
Both sides say the other is the one that owes the money.
"We're not just standing up for Nebraska Furniture Mart. We're standing up for all businesses and people in Wyandotte County. Everyone is due a fair evaluation not just big business, little business or homes. Everyone is on the same playing field," said Bob Batt, Exec. Vice President of NFM.
"They spent $167 million to build it only claiming it's worth $28 million. We think that's absurd. For us to agree to that would be irresponsible to every citizen in Wyandotte County," said Mike Taylor, Unified Government Spokesperson.
Nebraska Furniture Mart is heading to the Kansas Court of Appeals.
In the mean time, the Unified Government says it's also going to the Legends Shopping Center for back taxes owed.
The Unified Government says Legends owes more than $6 million in back taxes. The government says that's about what Nebraska Furniture Mart owes at this point as well.
The Unified Government says Nebraska Furniture Mart hasn't paid in almost two-and-a-half years. And, after three years, any other property would be considered delinquent.
Nebraska Furniture Mart executives are going on the defensive. They held a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
Nebraska Furniture Mart says it is not to blame for Wyandotte County budget problems.
Bob Batt says Nebraska Furniture Mart paid its taxes through '03, '04, '05 and most of '06 while it was appealing what it calls grossly overvalued assessments. It's still appealing the '08 taxes, but has not paid since the middle of '06.
Wyco puts the assessment at about $80 million. Nebraska Furniture Mart experts say it should be closer to $29 million.
Two different appeals courts agreed with Nebraska Furniture Mart. They feel they have already overpaid and shouldn't have to pay more even though the amount the Unified Government is still appealing the ruling to a higher court.
The Unified Government says by law Nebraska Furniture Mart has to pay even if they think they are paying too much. If Nebraska Furniture Mart wins the appeal, the Unified Government has to pay it back.
Both sides say the other is the one that owes the money.
"We're not just standing up for Nebraska Furniture Mart. We're standing up for all businesses and people in Wyandotte County. Everyone is due a fair evaluation not just big business, little business or homes. Everyone is on the same playing field," said Bob Batt, Exec. Vice President of NFM.
"They spent $167 million to build it only claiming it's worth $28 million. We think that's absurd. For us to agree to that would be irresponsible to every citizen in Wyandotte County," said Mike Taylor, Unified Government Spokesperson.
Nebraska Furniture Mart is heading to the Kansas Court of Appeals.
In the mean time, the Unified Government says it's also going to the Legends Shopping Center for back taxes owed.
The Unified Government says Legends owes more than $6 million in back taxes. The government says that's about what Nebraska Furniture Mart owes at this point as well.
The Unified Government says Nebraska Furniture Mart hasn't paid in almost two-and-a-half years. And, after three years, any other property would be considered delinquent.
