The Geary County Commission has chosen not to make a decision right now on a proposed Land Bank ordinance.

It would involve a process where vacant housing lots on the northwest side of Junction City on which back property taxes are owed could be put into a Land Bank to encourage future housing development.  Back property taxes that are owed would be forgiven and special assessments levied on the property could be delayed until a later time.

Larry Hicks, County Commission Chairman, said the governing body needed time to read and digest the ordinance, “and formulate any questions which I’m sure we’ll have with regard to supporting it. It’s not something that we are in opposition to any way, shape, or form. ”  Hicks added they need to know what they’re approving before rendering any decision. He expects the matter to come back before the Commission next Monday.

There are numerous vacant lots on the northwest side of the city on which infrastructure was installed as part of the building for anticipated growth. Some of that growth never occurred, and houses were not developed on those lots.  Efforts to sell them during a tax sale were also not very successful.