Eucalyptus Real Estate owes close to half a million dollars to Lyon County.
The Oklahoma City-based company is two years behind on its property taxes, according to County Attorney Marc Goodman and County Treasurer Sharon Gaede.
Eucalyptus is behind on seven apartment complexes. The largest debt is at Four Seasons, 1937 West 24th, where Eucalyptus owes over $208,000. Eucalyptus also owes over $132,000 at Kansas Parkview, 1622 Center, and nearly $100,000 at Riverview Condominiums, 625 Valley Drive.
Eucalyptus also owes property tax at State Street Apartments, located at 727 and 811 State; 900 State Apartments, located at 916 and 918 State; and Constitution Union Apartments, located at 810 Union and 909 Constitution.
Goodman says there’s not much the county can do — yet.
Eucalyptus is now Emporia’s second-largest rental property owner, according to Mayor Rob Gilligan. He says rental availability and quality are vitally important in a college town like Emporia.
Emporia would claim $120,000 of the current past due amount, or the equivalent of around 0.60 mills for property tax purposes.
Eucalyptus has kept its property taxes current at Terra Park Apartments, 1201 Triplett; and at Courtyard Apartments, 736 East 12th. Both properties are part of Emporia’s Neighborhood Revitalization Program, where property owners get rebates when property taxes are paid in full and are removed from the program if they fall behind.
Over the weekend, KVOE News told you about the situation and the city’s encouragement of Eucalyptus to step forward with information about why it’s behind and how it plans to catch up. Eucalyptus has not responded to a request from KVOE News seeking an update.
Initially, KVOE was told tenants with issues need to contact City Housing Specialist Jeff Lynch with complaints. Tenants are now directed to contact Emporia Fire administrative assistant Lawana Williams at 620-343-4230. The city received several calls and emails from tenants since the story broke.
Eucalyptus Real Estate past due property tax amounts to Lyon County (2019-2020 totals)
*900 State Apartments, 916 State and 918 State: $8,836.72
*Constitution Union Apartments, 909 Constitution: $2,946.57
*Constitution Union Apartments, 810 Union: $5,438.22
*Four Seasons Apartments, 1937 West 24th: $208,217.29
*Kansas Parkview, 1622 Center: $132,200.92
*Riverview Condominiums, 625 Valley: $99,711.68
*State Street Apartments, 727 State and 811 State: $30,893.71
*Total in arrears: $488,245.11
