The folks related to DGD Racing came in on their scheduled meeting. In attendance, with DGD David Dehaemers, Nick Saleh, Davids personal assistant, Roger Cumpton and Michael Hunter, Attorney, Assessor Carl Bettles and Tammy Mackay, State Tax Commission. David came in to see if he could get his 2024 taxes worked out. He has paid his taxes under protest and has filed a complaint with the state tax commission. His property tax was changed to commercial which resulted in a doubling of his taxes. He states he had understood at the Board of Equalization hearing in July of 2024 they had an agreement on the percentages to be changed to 10% commercial and 90% agricultural. He then received a letter stating the Board had decided to go back on the agreement and to leave it as set. Jim, Trent and Carl state there wasn’t an agreement, it was a proposal along with others, that Carl needed to evaluate and let David know. This was not what was in the notes. Clearly there is an impasse here. John stated that there was not even a legitimate board. They did not have the correct number of people or had even sworn in that one person they did have. John feels we need to work this out and honor the agreement. David stated his group used google earth software to minus out the track from the land and is agreeable to 15% commercial and 85% agricultural. They presented the pictures and print out of the results. He states that he built the track for personal use. Then did rent out the track to a few entities who had asked to use the track. Once in 2023, 4 rented days in 2024 which 3 days was Cass County Sheriff Office for training and one to Extreme Racing. This year has been 15 days. The track was built for his own personal use. He had no intention of making it into a rental business. He equated the rental similar to a rental house to which he stated that the laws show that renting less than 14 times a year they do not even have to report that as a business or income. David also stated this falls under Hobby loss rules as this is his hobby. He does not advertise or sell anything promoting the track. He is willing to take it to court but would rather get this resolved and withdraw his complaint. After looking over the pictures Jim questioned some of the pictures as not being agricultural as he didn’t think they could hay the part that looked steep. Rogers stated that was a lagoon. Carl stated he did see on the internet an advertisement for Hedge Hollow Racetrack. David stated that was one of the people he rents to and it is their business they are advertising not his. Jim ran the numbers trying to make the numbers that David presented match the percentages while Carl looked down at his papers for several minutes. John stated we have had weeks of errors out of the Assessor’s office that the commission has resolved. Carl stated that John likes to blow things out of proportion. Tammy stated the Commission cannot decide only Carl could make a stipulation to change the decision. David asked if we could come to an agreement. Tammy stated Carl would need time to reassess the land to figure out the soil grades on the 5% taken away from the agricultural. Carl stated he would give him an answer in a few weeks. John stated they had already had an agreement previously and yet here we are again. Carl agreed to give David an answer by June 30th. Carl will contact him.
John made the motion to divide out the CART money by $525.00 per mile in each Township. No additional money to be given. Trent seconded the motion All voted yes. No opposition.
Work in progress
Policy Regarding Indigent Cremations given 8/25/2023 nothing since April
Rattlesnake Hill Roads 11/06/2023 evening meeting 6/11/25
Policy Regarding Computer, E-Mail, Devices and Social Media given nothing since 2/14/2024
Telephone Contracts 3/11/2024 bids out 6/25 opening 6/30/25
Opioid Settlement Resolution 10/2/2024 (Judge Highley)
EEZ Board 3/26/2025 Proposal Fee with scope of work received $12,000.00 fixed fee 6/11/25
June 23, 2025 The Bates County Commission met with Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present. Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley was out on vacation.
Casey Chastain and Alan Fay with Higginbotham Insurance came in at their late scheduled meeting to discuss what they could do for the County as an insurance broker. They specialize in working with all insurances and work proactively to help the county get and maintain a low premium. They work with several counties and are ready to add us to their clients. Chief Corbin and Captain Shaffer came in the middle of the meeting to ask about preventive care. Alan stated that they will work on getting the coverage we are asking for as in those weight loss programs and preventative coverages. They asked for a list of our sites to be covered and the past 5 years of claims. They scheduled a walk-through of the jail with Chief Corbin. A follow-up appointment was scheduled for July 2nd.
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