By Emily Younker

eyounker@joplinglobe.com

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — A petition creating a taxing district to save Briarbrook’s golf course and clubhouse has been signed by about half the residents in the affected neighborhood so far, Toby Teeter said.

Teeter, who is leading the push to create a Community Improvement District, said he will try to get at least 60 percent of the residents in the area on the petition before filing it with the city.

“It appears now the CID can happen,” Teeter said.

A CID is a political subdivision created under Missouri law that allows landowners in a designated geographic area to assess themselves a tax to purchase, improve and maintain property.

The CID would encompass most of the Briarbrook residential area and would finance the purchase or lease of the 253-acre golf course, clubhouse, swimming pool and tennis courts. It also would fund capital improvements and maintenance.

“The issue is really not only lifestyle preservation, it’s maintaining the current property values,” Teeter said.

Signatures

Under Missouri law, the petition must be signed by a majority of property owners within the proposed district — at least 462 in this case — as well as by the owners of more than 50 percent of the assessed land value. The valuation within the district is approximately $15.8 million.

The district would be operated by an elected seven-member board, Teeter said.

The petition outlines two mechanisms for acquisition of the property.

Under the first, the current owner, Equity Endeavors LLC, donates the property to the state in exchange for tax credits equal to up to half the property’s appraised value. The state then transfers the property to the city, which would be expected to keep 95 acres of undeveloped land for a park and lease the remainder to the district for a 20-year term.

This proposal requires a $1.5 million bond issue, comprising $1.2 million for capital improvements and $300,000 in operating reserves, Teeter said.

Residents in the district would pay 35 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. That means the owner of a $100,000 house would pay about $66.50 per year.