City Commission considers raising poverty guidelines
Mount Pleasant Water Tower.
Mount Pleasant residents might see a new set of poverty guidelines. The city commission discussed property tax exemptions for impoverished residents in Mount Pleasant at Monday night's meeting on Feb. 23.
The federal government establishes poverty guidelines, but municipalities can raise them. The federal government has set the poverty line as $15,000 for a single-person household.
With the increase in homeowners’ insurance, mortgages and property taxes, some commissioners think that taking action now will help prevent future issues.
“We already go a bit above the poverty guidelines for reduced school lunches," said Commissioner Grace Rollins. "We should try to explore something of that similar concept, instead of waiting until there are people that will be unable to meet those property taxes.”
Raising the guidelines will mean that more homeowners could be exempt from paying property taxes, which ultimately affects the city’s general fund.
Two homes in Mount Pleasant were foreclosed on this past year, Commissioner Amy Perschbacher stated the two homes had been left abandoned for three years, and that the city ended up paying for the demolition of the homes.
“If we make changes, what is our intent behind doing so? Is our intent behind doing so staving off foreclosures, which there hasn’t been a whole rush off, or is it simply to just provide relief?” said Mayor Boomer Wingard.
Desentz said that other municipalities are also discussing making changes to the poverty guidelines, given current housing and affordability concerns.
The final decision will be made on March 9, as commissioners decided that more data about the situation would be necessary. The guidelines are assessed yearly, and the commission must have a decision by March 11 for the Board of Reviews meeting.
Tenants' Rights Committee
Commissioners also held a work session on creating a tenants' rights committee. They discussed what the committee would accomplish and who would serve on the committee.
Some commissioners felt that landlords should be a part of the committee, while others disagreed.
"I think that the landlord business is very tough," said Fire Chief Doug Lobsinger. "When they need to get a tenant out, they have a very, very hard time doing so, and I see that."
Commissioner Hannah Demerath said the existing power dynamics between a renter and a landlord could cause contention.
"You have to be careful if you're trying to empower a group and placing the person who has power in that situation," said Demerath. "I think that's an important way to look at this. I'm not saying to exclude landlords, but you have to remember that this is a power dynamic."
Vice Mayor Maureen Eke said that international students are often unaware of their rights as tenants. Some commissioners felt that more communication about tenants' rights would also be beneficial.
"Vulnerable people tend to stay vulnerable. It's hard to break that poverty cycle," said Mayor Wingard, regarding how impoverished people are more likely to rent.
New Private Christian School
The commission received petition letters from residents in support of a new Private Christian school on Broomfield and Crawford St. Mount Pleasant residents remain divided on this topic.
"The church signers are only thinking of their school, and few consider the land, the zero tax base or the need for future homes," said resident Marja Nothstine.
Some feel that a new private school will bring educational opportunities and more options for parents looking to send their children to school in Mount Pleasant.
Others express worry about the amount of land the church is requesting for the school. There is currently a Planned Residential Development plan restricting the land to only residential use.
The school would be exempt from taxes, as it is a Christian organization. Last year, the church was requesting 31 acres of land, whereas now the number requested is 26 acres.
Rezoning of the area would dissolve the PRD and make the private Christian school a reality, but the plot of land is the last undeveloped spot in Mount Pleasant. The PRD was placed to preserve this land for residential use years ago by commissioners at the time.
In Other News:
- Commissioners voted to accept the bid from TBD construction for work at Nelson Park Mill & Overlay/Thin Overlay Project for $64,626. Six out of the seven commissioners were in favor of the bid. Commissioner Ryon Skalitzky was opposed.
- There was a Public Hearing for Resolution Five on the Special Assessment for the Principal Shopping District. The special assessment focuses on maintenance, beautification, snow removal and other amenities downtown. The motion was accepted for 2026 and 2027.
