Toppling Goliath gets tax abatement from Decorah City Council

The Decorah City Council unanimously approved a tax abatement for Toppling Goliath's planned 20,000 square foot brewery in the Decorah Business Park.

The unanimous vote Monday night means the brewery will pay 20 percent of its property taxes in the first year; 30 percent the next year; 40 percent the third year; 50 percent the fourth year and 60 percent the fifth year before paying 100 percent in the sixth year and beyond.

Because the property is expected to have an assessed value of $4.5 million, Toppling Goliath will still pay a total of at least $335,000 in property taxes on the brewery during the five-year period.  City officials pointed out that the property currently brings in "a few hundred dollars" in property taxes right now, and that the property has stood empty for 15 years.

Not everyone at Monday night's meeting favored the tax abatement, however.  Tom Hansen of rural Decorah argued the tax abatements were "a slap in the face to taxpayers."  He compared Toppling Goliath to Pulpit Rock Brewing, which asked for no tax breaks in starting its facility.

Decorah resident Brian Huinker noted that many "beer tourists" have now been visiting town to sample beers and predicted the larger Toppling Goliath brewery would be good for both Toppling Goliath and Pulpit Rock.

All five city council members present Monday night (two were absent) voted in favor of the first reading of the tax abatement schedule.