2006 - 01-03-06 Special Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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0 BOOK 20 PAG 24 Aye: Adams, Brown, Hincks, Lemmond, Paschal, Reives, and Stevens Nay: None The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously. The Board considered economic development incentives for Challenge Printing Company in the amount of $84,273.00, System Plast USA in the amount of $59,740.00; and Pentair Water, Pool & Spa in the amount of $40,527.00. After some discussion, Commissioner Reives moved to approve the above economic development incentives as outlined by Economic Development Director Bob Heuts, copies of which are attached to these minutes and by this reference made a part hereof. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Brown, Hincks, Lemmond, Paschal, Reives, and Stevens Nay: Adams The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted by a six to one vote. Commissioner Adams read the following statement and asked that it be made a part of the record: "Since 1998 1 have been generally supportive of "incentives" because I actually believed in them. I, like many others, believed they helped to create an easier environment for companies to come to and grow in Lee County. Over time, however, I've studied and read and sought to better understand the realities of these economic policies and I can no longer ethically support them. Citizens and businesses pay their taxes, it's how local government provides services. If they don't, local Government will take away their property. Incentives lead us to believe that folks are paying their taxes, but in truth, they get back 50% of what they pay. No other companies get such a benefit. Does that mean that the county will only provide 50% of the services? No, it means that those who pay 100% of their taxes are subsidizing those who pay 50%. And it's not about jobs as our EDC and county have never monitored job creation for companies receiving incentives. We do this because we think businesses won't stay here or come here without them. But businesses make decisions for business reasons. And if the reason they come here is because of a 50% lower tax rate, then maybe we should examine why our taxes are too high for business. I cannot stand idly by any longer, these are bad for Lee County, and I believe there should be at lest one official who wants local government to treat all businesses equally. As long as one supports incentives, they are not treating businesses as equals." The Board considered a staffing request from the Tax Office. Tax Administrator Kep Kepley asked the Board to approve the hiring of an additional four (4) to six (6) Data Collectors to assist with the 2007 Revaluation Project. Mr. Kepley stated that there are currently ten (10) Data Collectors of which three (3) may be leaving shortly. Since it takes approximately one month to train a Data Collector, Mr. Kepley would like to have additional employees to make sure the ten (10) slots are filled at all times. After much discussion, Commissioner Reives moved to approve Mr. Kepley's request to hire an additional four (4) Data Collectors for the 2007 Revaluation Project. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: