From the South Bend Tribune:
Since becoming law in 2009, the county's tax abatement ordinance has been the
subject of much debate among members of the county council, some of it
heated.
Democrats,
on the one side, insist the ordinance is necessary to ensure that businesses
that receive abatements in the county act as good corporate
citizens.
Republicans,
meanwhile, describe the law as overly burdensome, a metaphorical "Closed for
Business" sign at the county line.
Those arguments are likely to be repeated Tuesday, when
the council considers a proposal by council member Dale DeVon, R-District C, to
repeal the ordinance in its entirety.
The proposal – technically Bill No. 139-10 – had been
sitting in committee for more than a year, ever since DeVon, citing high
unemployment and slow economic growth, introduced it in December
2010.
...
Of the current abatement
ordinance, DeVon, who voted against it back in 2009, said it includes too many
restrictions and, as a result, discourages companies that might otherwise
consider the county as a place to expand or locate.
"I think it's just way too long, it's too much," he
said of the 36-page document. "I think if we're trying to entice and invite
businesses to come to the county, we just need one page that might say, 'Welcome
to the community, we're here to assist you and help you grow your company and
create jobs.'"
For his part,
council member Dan Herbster, R-District F, described the ordinance as a "red
flag" warning companies to steer clear of the county.
"Even if you agree with the things in the tax abatement
ordinance, I hope people agree with me that (in an ordinance) is not the best
place to put them," he said, adding, "Nothing prevents the County Council from
inquiring about all of the things in the ordinance and more, and then exercising
good judgment."
...
Introduced by council member
Mark Catanzarite, D-District G, the county’s current tax abatement ordinance
provides for a base abatement period of three years, with additional years
awarded based on a company's willingness to meet certain wage
requirements.
...
The County Council meets at
7 p.m. Tuesday inside council chambers on the fourth floor of the County-City
Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd.
http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/sbt-st-joseph-county-council-to-consider-repeal-of-tax-abatement-ordinance-20120809,0,513080.story
