Wilson Gee, owner of the shuttered Phoenix, Ariz., property, must pay back the tax breaks received from the county from operating the golf course, plus interest.
County officials are planning to send Wilson Gee, owner of the shuttered Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Club in Phoenix, Ariz., a $1.6 million bill to pay back taxes, the Phoenix-based CBS 5 reported.
Last year, the owner of the Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Club decided to close the property, and has since faced criticism from neighbors for erecting a large barbed wire fence, prompting the city to pass a golf course blight ordinance. C&RB has reported on the controversial property since late last year.
Homeowners demanded some type of action be taken against Gee, but there wasn’t much anyone could do until now. The Maricopa County Assessor’s Office is planning to send Gee a bill for $1.6 million in back taxes and penalties, because the golf course no longer qualifies for special tax breaks, CBS 5 reported.
Ben Holt is president of “Save the Lakes,” an organization trying to keep golf course in the community. “Like anyone else who fudges on some type of regulation, there’s a price to pay, and for Mr. Gee, it’s going to be a substantial amount of money,” said Holt.
County officials told CBS 5 that Gee had been receiving specific tax benefits for operating a golf course, and according to state law, if the golf course closes up, the owner must pay back 10 years of those tax breaks—plus interest.
Club resident Ron Shermerhorn said he is pleased to hear the golf course owner will be held accountable, but that won’t exactly improve their view. “Whether they get it from him or not, doesn’t help us one bit,” said Schermerhorn. “We’re still threatened with the loss of this.”
Gee told CBS 5 that he was aware of the tax repercussions when he closed the golf course.
“At the end of the day, that amount will be paid,” said Gee. “The assessor is correct in that penalty.”
Gee said the back taxes bill will not impact his plans to sell the property to a developer, CBS 5 reported.
“It doesn’t make economic sense to be a golf course any more,” said Gee.
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