CHAPTER 7
NEW CONSTRUCTION INCENTIVES
SECTION:
4-7-1: Property Tax Refunds
4-7-1: PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS:
   (A)   The city council shall refund the city of Savanna corporate property taxes on newly constructed any single-family residential home as provided in this chapter if it finds that the owner (or purchaser on a contract for deed) of the home has complied with the terms of this chapter and is entitled to such refund.
   (B)   Refunds shall be approved where:
      1.   The applicant for the refund is the owner (or purchaser under a contract for deed) of a newly constructed single-family house located within the corporate limits of the city of Savanna.
      2.   The permit for the construction of the house was issued on or after January 1, 2001.
      3.   The applicant is not delinquent in the payment of any property tax imposed within Carroll County or on any financial obligation of any kind owed to the city.
      4.   The applicant is the recipient of the owner occupied property tax exemption applicable to the house.
   (C)   The amount of the refund shall be limited to:
      1.   One hundred percent (100%) of the city of Savanna corporate property taxes imposed on the improvement to the real estate in the first year of completed construction.
      2.   Seventy five percent (75%) of the city of Savanna corporate property taxes imposed on the improvement to the real estate in the second year.
      3.   Fifty percent (50%) of the city of Savanna corporate property taxes imposed on the improvement to the real estate in the third year.
In no event shall the amount refunded in a single year to any single owner exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00). In no event shall the total amount refunded by the city on all applications exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00).
   (D)   It shall be the responsibility of the person applying for the refund to establish by clear and convincing evidence that he or she is eligible for the refund requested. The applicant shall submit a verified application for the refund to the comptroller. A new application shall be made for every year for which a refund is sought. The comptroller may request any form of documentation or information she believes may assist her in her determination that the applicant for abatement is entitled thereto, and the failure of any applicant to supply such information in a timely manner when requested shall constitute a withdrawal of the application.
   (E)   No firm which is an alter ego, as the term is defined in the opinion of the Illinois supreme court in Superior Coal Co. v. Dept. of Finance, 377 Ill. 282 (1941), of an ineligible person or firm shall be eligible to apply for a refund under this chapter. A person, firm or entity seeking a refund hereunder shall provide the comptroller with such information as she may require to establish that the applicant is not such an alter ego.
   (F)   Applications for refund shall be on such forms as the comptroller may prescribe and shall be completed prior to the last business day in March of the year in which the taxes would be due.
   (G)   If the comptroller is satisfied that the applicant for a refund under this chapter is entitled to receive the refund, the comptroller shall bring the matter before the city council which shall authorize the refund if it finds the requirements of this chapter have been met.
   (H)   If the city council approves an application for refund, the applicant shall have paid the full amount of taxes imposed as if there were to be no refund. Upon proof of that payment to the comptroller, the comptroller shall then refund to the owner the authorized refund. (Ord. 1690, 4-9-2002)