ML school board won't pursue tax collection

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake School District will not collect taxes to recoup money the district lost in property value reassessments for REC Silicon.

The company challenged the property value assessment from the Grant County Assessor and its tax liability was reduced, which meant the government entities that received the money had to pay some of it back. The school district had to pay back $727,834.23, Mark Johnson, executive director of business and operations, said.

It's a "fairly substantial hit," Johnson said, and the district has the legal authority to go back to taxpayers and collect the money. But, Johnson said, he didn't recommend it, and it was his belief, after talking to board members, that they didn't want to do it.

Board member Lew Mason asked if the district had the right to ask for the money retroactively. Johnson said it did, but he didn't recommend it, and Mason agreed. So did the rest of the school board, which voted 5-0 not to do it.

In other business at the regular board meeting Thursday, district superintendent Michelle Price said the next community forum will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at a site to be determined. Attendance at the two forums held to date was enough to prompt officials to look for a bigger venue than the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce office, the original site chosen.

The forums allow district patrons to ask whatever questions they want and talk about whatever subject they want with board members and district administrators. Another forum is scheduled for from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at Big Bend Community College.

Board members presented a plate of cookies and passes to Moses Lake High School sports events to retiring board member Lew Mason. Thursday was his last meeting; after eight years, he did not run for reelection.

Board chair Kevin Donovan said he learned a lot from Mason and had been an asset to the board. Mason thanked the board members and said it had been a pleasure to work with them.