OTHERS. IT’S A BIG DEAL. THANK YOU. A JUDGE’S RULING TODAY HELPS THE IOWA YOUTH ATHLETIC FOUNDATION KEEP OWNERSHIP OF A SPORTS COMPLEX IN WAUKEE. THE ORGANIZATION SUED DALLAS COUNTY AFTER THE SPORTS COMPLEX WAS DENIED A PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION. IOWA YOUTH CLAIMED THAT THEY CAN’T AFFORD THE PROPERTY TAXES AND WOULD NEED TO SELL THE COMPLEX. A JUDGE HAD TEMPORARILY BLOCKED DALLAS COUNTY FROM COLLECTING THE TAX, BUT TODAY A JUDGE RULED IN FAVOR OF THE IOWA YOUTH FOUNDATION. THE CITY OF WAUKEE SAYS THE COMPLEX HELPS BRING BUSINESS TO THE COMMUNITY. BECAUSE OF THE FACT YOU’RE HAVING WEEKLY TOURNAMENTS THERE AND PRACTICES. THAT THEN BRINGS OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS AND RETAIL DEVELOPMENT AND ALL SORTS OF OTHER COMMERCIAL THINGS THAT ARE REALLY GOOD FOR THAT DEVELOPMENT, BUT ALSO FOR THE REST OF THE CITY. THE ATTORNEY REPRESENTING IOWA YOUTH ATHLETIC FOUNDATION SAYS THE ORGANIZATION DONATES MONEY AND VOLUNTEER HOURS TO HELP KIDS PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS. AD
Judge rules youth organization can keep Waukee sports complex
A judge ruled in favor of the Iowa Youth Athletic Foundation, allowing the organization to retain ownership of the Kettlestone Sports Complex in Waukee after a property tax dispute.
A judge ruled Wednesday that the Iowa Youth Athletic Foundation can keep ownership of the Kettlestone Sports Complex in Waukee after a legal dispute with Dallas County over property taxes. The organization sued Dallas County after the sports complex was denied a property tax exemption. Iowa Youth claimed it could not afford the property taxes and would need to sell the complex. A judge had previously blocked Dallas County from collecting the tax temporarily. This week, the judge ruled in favor of the Iowa Youth Athletic Foundation. The city of Waukee emphasized the complex’s economic benefits to the community.”Because of the fact you’re having weekly tournaments there and practices, that then brings opportunities for hotels and restaurants and retail development and all sorts of other commercial things that aren’t only good for that development but for the rest of the city,” said Waukee City Administrator Brad Deets.Todd Lantz, the attorney representing the Iowa Youth Athletic Foundation, said,”Iowa Youth has donated millions of dollars and thousands of volunteer hours to provide children with opportunities to participate in athletics, primarily in youth basketball. Thankfully, the ruling in Iowa Youth’s favor ensures that the organization can continue its valuable mission without being forced to sell the Kettlestone Sports Complex.”» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayPrevious coverage
A judge ruled Wednesday that the Iowa Youth Athletic Foundation can keep ownership of the Kettlestone Sports Complex in Waukee after a legal dispute with Dallas County over property taxes.
The organization sued Dallas County after the sports complex was denied a property tax exemption. Iowa Youth claimed it could not afford the property taxes and would need to sell the complex. A judge had previously blocked Dallas County from collecting the tax temporarily.
This week, the judge ruled in favor of the Iowa Youth Athletic Foundation.
The city of Waukee emphasized the complex’s economic benefits to the community.
“Because of the fact you’re having weekly tournaments there and practices, that then brings opportunities for hotels and restaurants and retail development and all sorts of other commercial things that aren’t only good for that development but for the rest of the city,” said Waukee City Administrator Brad Deets.
Todd Lantz, the attorney representing the Iowa Youth Athletic Foundation, said,
“Iowa Youth has donated millions of dollars and thousands of volunteer hours to provide children with opportunities to participate in athletics, primarily in youth basketball. Thankfully, the ruling in Iowa Youth’s favor ensures that the organization can continue its valuable mission without being forced to sell the Kettlestone Sports Complex.”
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» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
Previous coverage