ST. GEORGE — Property tax relief is on the way for January's flood victims in Washington County.

The Washington County commissioners also approved nearly $4 million in property tax exemptions for many of those who lost homes and property during the January floods. The tax relief list included 25 properties in St. George and five in Santa Clara.

The exemptions were allowed under a new state law, HB324, which specified a property must have sustained flood damage of at least 30 percent of the property's market value.

Washington County Assessor Art Partridge said his office filed requests for many of January's victims because they either neglected to do it themselves or weren't aware of the new law. Residents were prodded to seek the exemption if they qualified or to tell friends and neighbors about it, he said.

"If you personally did not sustain enough damage to qualify for this tax reduction, please help us inform others in our community that may qualify for this special tax reduction," Partridge said in a letter posted on the county's Web site and sent to many residents.

Applications were due by April 30, although not all who could apply did so, prompting Partridge to seek the information on their behalf.

The tax relief offered Tuesday is just one of numerous acts of kindness and generosity that Utahns have shown toward flood victims. The Virgin River/Santa Clara Flood Relief Fund continues to seek donations to help people rebuild their homes and lives.

The nonprofit organization has raised nearly $2 million of its $3 million goal. It has also paid nearly $145,000 to stabilize several homes damaged by the floods so that homeowners could move back in.

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E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com