Consider and/or act upon Tax Abatement Guidelines, Presentation by Doug May

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

Consider and/or act upon Tax Abatement Guidelines, Presentation by Doug May Doug May, Fort Stockton Economic Development Corporation, presented/suggested changes to our current Tax Abatement Guidelines. Changes proposed on page 1 are shown in red: All applications requesting tax abatement from the District shall be considered on an individual basis with regard to both the applicant's qualification for abatement and the amount of the abatement. The District has set a limitation value of TWENTY-FIVE MILLION AND NO DOLLARS ($25,000,000) on all projects to be considered for a tax abatement; meaning that only that value exceeding the limitation value will be considered as eligible for a tax abatement. The decisions of other taxing units, including the County, to grant or deny tax abatement do not bind the District, and the District shall evaluate all requests within the context of the District's management plan, rules, and statutory mandate. Changes proposed on page 2 are shown in red: All applications requesting tax abatement from the District shall be considered on an individual basis with regard to both the applicant's qualification for abatement and the amount of the abatement. The District has set a limitation value of TWENTY-FIVE MILLION AND NO DOLLARS ($25,000,000) on all projects to be considered for a tax abatement; meaning that only that value exceeding the limitation value will be considered as eligible for a tax abatement. The decisions of other taxing units, including the County, to grant or deny tax abatement do not bind the District, and the District shall evaluate all requests within the context of the District's management plan, rules, and statutory mandate. A third suggestion was made for our attorney to poll the Board before Tax Abatements are brought before the Board to make sure there is not a conflict of interest, and make the findings part of the record. Janet Groth made a motion to adopt the Tax Abatement Guidelines as presented by Mr. Doug May. Motion seconded by Evans Turpin. 6 For. 2 Oppose. 1 Abstain. 2 Absent. Motion carried. Production Permit Hearing for City of Fort Stockton I

This motion is scored as EXPANDS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 8.4/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, measures that increase tax rates or fee schedules, issue new debt or Certificates of Obligation, expand regulatory/zoning restrictions on private land use, or authorize unbudgeted spending expansions reduce an official's Freedom Score when voted YES (and reward dissenting NO votes).