Heartland Park owner Chris Payne seeks $1 million from Shawnee County; official calls allegations ‘groundless and defamatory’

Heartland Motorsports Park owner Chris Payne is stepping up his property tax fight with Shawnee County, sending notice to the county that his company, Shelby Development LLC, is seeking damages of more than $1 million.

Shawnee County, meanwhile, isn’t backing down, with county counselor James Crowl saying the county vehemently denies accusations by Payne’s attorneys and will fight them in court if the case gets to that point.

In documents obtained by The Topeka Capital-Journal, the Kansas City, Mo., law firm of Ensz & Jester, P.C., said in correspondence dated July 3 that it was giving notice to Shawnee County clerk Cynthia Beck that Shelby has a claim against Shawnee County and multiple county officials totaling $1,192,000.

(Read more: Local Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal)