A third property tax valuation reduction appeal by the Carroll Walgreens store was dismissed without prejudice yesterday (Tuesday) in the Iowa District Court for Carroll County. County Attorney, John Werden, says that even though the courts have left Waltrust Properties, owner of Walgreens, the ability to file another appeal, the case will be considered finalized as there is no time left to launch that appeal for 2017. He adds he believes the realization that Carroll County will vigorously defend property tax appeals has helped lead to this outcome. In a step that is considered part of the norm for many larger corporate property owners, Walgreens was one of five local businesses requesting property tax reductions. Though denied, Walgreens filed appeals with the state board of review in 2013 and 2015, but both of those were dismissed with no adjustment made to the taxable valuation. Werden says, “I am pleased to have scored a hat trick on behalf of Carroll County taxpayers. If one property is lowered, that burden necessarily falls on the rest of us,” he adds.
