|
County Commissioners discuss abatement guidelines |
|
Written by Brian McCormack
|
|
Tuesday, 13 January 2009 |
The Nolan County Commissioner's Court held session Monday at the county courthouse. Among the topics discussed was the amending of guidelines regarding tax abatements granted through the county to companies who wish to operate in the area.
The guidelines were drawn up to ensure that any business asking for a tax break would remain committed to Nolan County past the initial abatement period. Judge Tim Fambrough explains the idea, "If a company was to ask for a 10-year abatement, they will need to stay for the duration of the period plus an amount of time equal to the abatement period afterward."
Several area residents attended the meeting who are opposed to the construction of the 600-megawatt power plant which will be operated by Tenaska, an Omaha based energy company.
Tenaska has asked for an abatement which would give them a 75% tax break for the first ten years of the plant's operation.
David Hall, a local attorney who has headed up the opposition to the coal plant, urged the commission to include more incentives for the residents of the county before granting requests such as Tenaska's. "We believe full disclosure of the effects the company will have on the county, and their willingness to employ people who live in the county should be considered before an abatement is given," he said.
Judge Fambrough pointed out that these guidelines are reviewed every two years, and that they are in place for every type of business saying, "The guidelines are general. They are for wind energy, power plants and manufacturing plants. We couldn't get too specific."
County attorney Lisa Peterson offered to get together with Hall to review and possibly revise the guidelines if deemed appropriate. The guidelines were approved by the commission but may be amended pending the review.
The reinvestment zone that was to be considered for Tenaska's Trailblazer Energy Center was tabled until the next commissioner's meeting, where the tax abatement will also be further delved into.
Other items of interest included the approval of a bond for Stanley Morris, county surveyor, and the reappointment of two members to the Sweetwater-Nolan County Child Welfare Board — David McDonald and Navada O'Pry.
A land sale of county owned property in Roscoe is also being considered with new commissioner Terry Willman negotiating the sale, and commissioner Terry Locklar as an alternate. |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 14 January 2009 )
|
