Salt Lake buyers of a tax-encumbered Nephi truck stop went to Juab County commissioners seeking some leniency - and received it.
845 Associates Inc., Salt Lake City, and the buyers recently met with the Juab County Commission over the back taxes owed by Ralph Lange, Nephi, on his Ralph's Truck Stop property.Lange and the buyers - Paul Hudson, Chris Hudson and John Hunter - asked commissioners if a deal could be worked out to prevent a May 27 tax sale of portions of the property.
Last year, Lange negotiated with the commission to pay back taxes of several thousand dollars, said Commission Chairman Ike Lunt. It was decided Lange would sign a contract, pay the 1992 taxes and pay $700 per month.
"The $700 did not cover the interest for a month," said Lunt. Though Lange paid approximately $25,000, he was not making progress in paying the principal on the tax owed.
Hunter told commissioners the new company was dealing with five major entities in purchasing the property. In addition to Juab County, two banks, Nephi City and the Utah State Tax Commission needed to be satisfied.
The owners believe they can turn the truck spot into a profitable business because they've done so in a similar situation in another community, said Hunter. However, they did not want to make the $55,000 owed in one payment.
Commissioner Gordon Young suggested a contract that would allow the company to pay taxes, interest and penalties over four years.
The new company will also have to keep current taxes paid on a yearly basis. "We can work out a schedule you can work with," he said.
Hunter agreed to the terms. "We would like the May tax sale called off," he said. Hunter said he and his partners would return to the commission at its Monday meeting with the paper work and plat map completed.