2014-007 - Approve amendments to the Paris Economic Development Corporation tax abatement policy.

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(Updated 2- 10 -14) Paris, Texas Economic Development Corporation POLICY STATEMENT CRITERIA AND GUIDELINES FOR TAX ABATEMENT I. General Purpose and Objectives. The City of Paris (City), Lamar County Government (County) and Paris Junior College (PJC) (collectively, herein called the "Taxing Jurisdictions ") are committed to enhancing the competitiveness and the expansion potential of the local industry; to attracting and encouraging new manufacturing industry and investment; to improving the City of Paris, Lamar County and its infrastructure, which attracts and supports development; and, to expanding the tax base, employment opportunities, and the overall quality of life for its citizens. Therefore, the governing bodies of the Taxing Jurisdictions will give consideration, on a case -by -case basis, to providing tax abatements to the owners of real and personal property for projects that stimulate economic growth and diversification in the geographic areas served by the Taxing Jurisdictions, according to state law and consistent with these policies, criteria and guidelines. Tax abatements may be made available to industrial, manufacturing, distribution, service facilities, or any "primary jobs" creating industry as defined by the Economic Development Act of the State of Texas. The facility must be currently in, or locating in the areas served by the Taxing Jurisdictions, and located in a designated Enterprise Zone or Reinvestment Zone. New facilities and structures as well as the expansion and modernization of existing facilities and structures, will be considered. Evaluation of a tax abatement request will be based on the information provided in the tax abatement application. However, the City of Paris, Lamar County and Paris Junior College are under no obligation to provide tax abatement to any applicant. The Paris City Council acts as the lead entity for projects located in the City limits. The Lamar County Board of Commissioners acts as the lead entity for projects in Lamar County, which are located outside of the City limits. All governing bodies of the three Taxing Jurisdictions have adopted this policy, criteria and guidelines and will consider tax abatement requests that qualify hereunder. IL Definitions. Definitions are provided as an Appendix A. III. Designation of a Reinvestment Zone. For any facility located within the area served by the Taxing Jurisdictions to be eligible for tax abatement it must meet the criteria for designation as a tax abatement reinvestment zone as set forth in the Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act, Texas Tax Code Chapter 312.The City or County may designate an area as a reinvestment zone in accordance with the criteria and procedural requirements set forth in the Property Redevelopment & Tax Abatement Act, as amended (Texas Tax Code Sec. 312.401 (b)). IV. Tax Abatement Authorized. The Taxing Jurisdictions, through their elected governing bodies, may agree in writing with the owner and /or lessee of taxable real and /or personal property that is located in a reinvestment zone, but that is not in an improvement project financed by tax increment bonds, to exempt from taxation a portion of the value of the real property, or of personal property located on the real property, or both. The period of the abatement granted under the agreement shall not exceed the term authorized bylaw. Such agreement will be based on the condition that the owner or