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Huxley revives incentives for new home buyers

By Bob Zientara
Staff Writer

Published: Thursday, June 25, 2009 9:49 AM CDT

 HUXLEY — A shrinking economy has prompted the Huxley City Council to revive a set of housing and commercial business incentives.

 If new housing developers or new home sellers are willing to forgo tax abatement benefits, the city will chip in with money from its tax increment financing fund to make up to $6,000 available to the buyer of a qualifying new home, according to City Manager John Haldeman.

 There were eight new housing starts in Huxley in 2008, and that number has been matched this year. But Haldeman said the 2009 number includes permits issued last year. The full force of the economic slowdown won’t be measurable until the end of this year, he said.

 The renewed incentive program also offers benefits to owners of rebuilt existing homes and remodeled downtown businesses.

 The council approved the plan Tuesday, making it retroactive to April 9 in order to cover the start of the 2009 construction season.

 “As the economy has slowed down, the rate of new construction has slowed here,” Haldeman said. “This plan was in place before, although it expired in 2003, and our council decided to explore using it again.”

 Pooling tax abatement and tax increment financing money may attract home buyers “who can use that money for yard work or furnishings for their homes,” he said. “If you’re a first-time home buyer and you add the $8,000 federal incentive to the city’s $6,000, you could end up with $14,000.”

 As of Wednesday, two new-home applications had been submitted, he said. But buyers of those homes won’t get the money until at least 10 days after they furnish the city with a deed proving they own the property, according to the plan.

 Incentives for existing homes and businesses are meant to encourage property owners to rebuild and/or remodel as a means to grow the city’s tax base, Haldeman said.

Bob Zientara can be reached at (515) 663-6961

or rzientara@amestrib.com.

Building Incentives Application Click Here

 

 

A Guide To Moving

Changing services
Consider developing a form explaining your move, the dates you intend to be unavailable or the number you can be reached at and the address of your new residence.  This form can then be mailed to appropriate services like utilities, medical facilities, schools, and others as you see necessary.  It is usually a good idea to have services start at least a day before you plan to move in.

  • Natural Gas (if needed in your new home)
  • Cable or Satellite
  • Local Phone Service –Note how you want your name to be listed in the new telephone directory.  Some things Huxley Communications has available:
    • Local & long distance phone
    • cable tv
    • internet
    • and more services
  • Long Distance Phone Service
  • High-Speed Internet
  • Local Papers Subscriptions
  • Medical Records

The day after you leave is a good time to have the last things disconnected – don’t forget to give the utilities companies your new address to send the final bill to.

  • Phones
  • Electricity
  • Gas

Packing logic:

  • Pack your current phone book to take with you. You may need to make calls to residents or businesses back in your former hometown.
  • Photocopy all essential documents and then send them on to your new residence with a secure courier company. You may want to purchase a fireproof case for the documents that you will move to protect them from any incidents especially if you intend to move them with the rest of your household goods. It would be best to keep all important documents with you if at all possible.
  • Bag any small items like screws and bolts and tape them to underside of the furniture they go with.
  • Keep tools you'll need to reassemble furniture in a separate box that is clearly marked. There's nothing worse than arriving at your new home late at night, wanting to put the bed together and not knowing where the tools are.
  • Use brightly colored storage tote boxes, one for each person. Let each family member fill theirs with items they'll want 'right away' in the new home -- a set of sheets, a towel, a couple of extension cords, a phone, nightlights, address book, pens and paper, keys, Kleenex, and travel cosmetic case, and so on.

Considerations for Children. 
Moving can be both an exciting and scary time for children. There are several things you can do, however, to lessen the strain on them and make the move as smooth as possible. Include the children when making plans for the move.

  • If it  possible, take them with you when you go to look for your new house or apartment.
  • If the children are very young, act out the moving process with them using dolls, boxes and a wagon. This can help them better know what to expect from the move. Older kids might want to make maps or an itinerary for the move.
  • In addition to helping pack their room and contents, have children write their name and new address on the cartons from their rooms so they can become familiar with their new address before they get to their new home.
  • Allow children to be involved in what the new house will look like. Give them a voice in making decisions about how their new rooms will be arranged and decorated.
  • Encourage children to exchange addresses with their friends. If possible, consider allowing them to have their old friends visit them at the new home. A telephone call to an old friend may be a low-cost way to help relieve post-move depression.
  • Prepare a package for each child containing snacks, clothing, and favorite toys that he or she can take on the day of the actual move.
  • When you arrive at your new destination, you might want to consider having your TV and VCR hooked up first to help occupy the children while the rest of the van is being unloaded.
  • If possible try to visit the day care or school and become familiar with the staff and building.  Attending a ball game or function can be a great way to get excited about a new place.

Considerations for Pets:
Moving with pets can present special problems. Planning ahead then is the key to effectively moving with your pets.

  • Make sure your pet wears an identification tag that includes the pet's name, your name, and a destination address, or that of a friend or relative in case you cannot be reached.
  • Make sure and get the appropriate pet license.
  • Always use a leash if your pet is outside your car or hotel.
  • If you decide to ship your pet by air, make arrangements ahead of time. Check with the airline to see if your pet can travel in a carrier that fits under an airplane seat, or if the pet must travel as air freight.
  • You may want to consult with your veterinarian regarding mild sedation for your pet during the trip.
  • If your move is across state lines, nearly every state has regulations for the entry of animals. For more detailed information on entry requirements, call or write the State Veterinarian, State Department of Animal Husbandry, or another appropriate authority.
  • Arrange to have your pets records forwarded to your new vet. Keep your pet calm and away from all the activity on moving day by arranging for a friend to watch your pet at their house or if possible arrange for your pet to stay at a boarding facility for a day or two.