By Becky Killian, Staff Writer
County officials are reviewing a new policy intended to assist them when they consider new business tax abatements.
The proposed policy was presented to the Washington County Council by Economic Growth Partnership Director Angie Buchanan on Monday, Jan. 13. The council’s meeting was delayed by a week due to inclement weather.
Council President Mark Abbott said some abatements the county has approved have a “substantial time frame” of 10 years. The proposed policy intends to limit those long terms.
The council’s legal counsel, Alyssa Cochran, of Frost Brown Todd Attorneys, said the proposed policy would offer a tangible, objective process through which council members can determine the investment potential of a business. Most of the abatement process is dictated by state law, so the proposed policy will only be a guideline.
The proposed policy includes a scoring system to aid officials as they weigh the advantages and disadvantages of a requested tax abatement. Buchanan said the scoring system is intended only as an aid: the final decision will still rest with the council.
“Every business is just so different,” Buchanan said.
The council opted to table the matter to allow further review of the proposed policy.
If it is approved, the new policy will only apply to new applicants for tax abatements: it will not impact previously approved abatements.
Once approved, businesses with tax abatements must complete an annual compliance form so officials can ensure the businesses are meeting the benchmarks presented during the application process, such as the number of employees hired or retained and salary projections. Any business that fails to meet those projections can have its abatement rescinded.
Other business handled during the meeting included:
*The council opted to retain its current president, Mark Abbott, and vice president, Gerald Fleming Sr., during its reorganization. The firm of Frost Brown Todd Attorneys was also retained as legal counsel.
*New council members Brad Gilbert and Todd Armstrong were welcomed.