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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
February 12, 2015     Shelton Mason County Journal
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February 12, 2015
 
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commissioners Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015 -Mason County Journal - Page A-9 By NATALIE JOHNSON natalie@masoncoun com Developers of multi-family, low and moderate-income hous- ing in parts of the Belfair, Allyn and Shelton Urban Growth Ar- eas may now qualify for eight- or 12-year property tax breaks in Mason County. The Mason County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted after a public hearing Tuesday to adopt an ordinance and a new chapter in Mason County code establishing its Multi-Family Housing Tax In- centive Program. "The motion carries, let the COUNTY BRIEFS building begin," county Commis- sioner Randy Neatherlin said. Commissioners said the new program will increase low-in- come housing for county resi- dents and promote business de- velopment in the county. "It's going to make the area attractive for retail," Commis- sioner Terri Jeffreys said. Jeffreys said the program will likely lead to development in Belfair, and create new hook- ups for the Belfair sewer. Applicants for the eight-year tax exemption must commit to renting or selling at least 20 percent of the multi-family housing units as affordable housing to low- and moderate- income households. For the eight-year tax exemp- tion, low income means a single person, family or household liv- ing at or below 80 percent of Mason County's median income. Moderate income means a house- hold living with an income of be- tween 80 percent and 115 percent of the county's median income. Jeffreys said 80 percent of Mason County's median in- come amounts to about $47,450, meaning the county's median in- come is about $59,000. The county used the U.S. De- partment of Housing and Urban Development's data on median household income to calculate this number. Applicants applying for the 12-year tax exemption must rent or sell at least 50 percent of housing units to low- or moder- ate-income households. For the purposes of the 12- year exemption, low income means households with income that is 50 percent of the county's median income, and moderate income means households earn- ing 80 percent of the county's median income. Tax incentives for develop- ers of low-income, multi-family housing have previously been allowed in urban areas, but not rural areas. Senate bill 6339, sponsored state Rep. Tim Sheldon (D-Pot- lach), which was signed into law in 2014, allows such programs specffically in Mason County. "It wasn't an easy bill to pass. This only applies to counties with a population between 50,000 and 71,000 bordering Puget Sound," Sheldon said. "We're a little in the spotlight here." The county will be allowed to grant the tax exemption for the next four years, and would then need to get an exte ion from the state Legislature to continue of- fering the exemption to new con- struction projects. plan hearing Feb. 17 The Mason County Planning Ad- visory Commission has scheduled a public hearing for 6 p.m. Feb. 17 to review proposed changes to the county comprehensive plan and collect public testimony on those proposed changes. State law requires that the county review and update its Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations by June 30, 2016. For more information on the pro- posed changes, call Barbara Adkins at 427-9670, ext. 286. Members sought for committee Mason County Public Works is seeking members of the public to serve on the Mason County Solid Waste Ad- visory Committee. The committee reviews policies on solid waste and waste management, among other tasks. Members serve a three-year term. To apply, call the Mason County Commission office at 427-9670, ext. 419, or go to co.mason.wa.us. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. County approves $412K in grants The Mason County Board of Commis- sioners approved nine grants Tuesday, totaling $412,719, for programs designed to reduce or prevent homelessness. The Mason County Housing Au- thority Board recommended that the county approve the grants. Funding for the grants is collected through county document recording fees. Grants include: • $35,000 to Turning Pointe Do- mestic Violence shelter for shelter operations • $34,735 to North Mason Resourc- es for an advocate for homeless people • $130,994 to St. David of Wales Episcopal Church for its HOST program • $$31,550 to St. David of Wales Epis- copal Church for a housing case manager • $15,000 to St. David of Wales Epis- copal Church for its cold weather shelter • $20,000 to the North Mason School District for its cold weather shelter • $43,065 to Crossroads Housing for homeless shelter operations • $12,000 to Crossroads Housing for transitional housing • $90,375 to Crossroads Housing for rental assistance. • Compiled by reporter Natalie Johnson 9350 for rill Bring in coupon for a FREE APPEFIZF..R! OR fried zucchini t Bananas Flambd Dessert! "BUTCHER" TRUST IN US Valentine's All Packages Freezer Ready • lie Time Spent Re-Wreppiq Locker Packs Available Locally Owned, Fmi /-RB Meat Shop 1729 OLYMPIC HWY. N. 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