2016-003 - Authorizing City to be Eligible to Participate in Tax Agreement and Approving Guidelines and Criteria

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(Updated 1- 11 -16) POLICY STATEMENT CRITERIA AND GUIDELINES FOR TAX ABATEMENT waived. The local taxing jurisdictions encourage existing employers to retain as many jobs and as much existing annual payroll as is economically feasible for the existing employer, while remaining competitive in its industry. VII. Greenfield projects In order to encourage the development of greenfield properties and also to be able to expedite certain new projects, the criteria for tax abatements for improvements to real property and for new personal property at authorized facilities set forth in Article V above shall be waived for projects exclusively involving greenfield properties. VIII. Application Process Application Process Eligibility Any present or potential owner of taxable property in the Taxing Jurisdictions may request tax abatement by filing a written request with the City Manager, County Judge, or PJC President, with a copy of the application forwarded by the applicant to the Executive Director of the Paris EDC. Form The application shall consist of a completed application form accompanied by the following: 1. A general description of the improvements to be undertaken together with the projected new value to the property and the type of business operation proposed. 2. A detailed descriptive list of the improvements for which abatement is requested. 3. A list of the kind, number, and location of all proposed improvements of the property. 4. A list of the number and type of jobs created, including information pertaining to anticipated job transfers (if any). 5. A metes and bounds description and plat of the proposed reinvestment zone that shows all roadways within 200 feet of the reinvestment zone and all existing zoning and land uses within 200 feet of the reinvestment zone. 6. A time schedule for undertaking and completing the proposed improvements. 7. The type and value of any additional economic development incentives requested. 8. Any other information about the proposed project as may be required by the Taxing Jurisdictions or as deemed desirable by the Taxing Jurisdictions. Review 1. All applications will be initially reviewed by members of the Tax Abatement Advisory Process Committee. 2. An initial project briefing meeting will be conducted between the company's representatives and the Tax Abatement Advisory Committee. 3. The Committee will evaluate the request for tax abatement in accordance with these criteria and guidelines and will make its recommendation to the Paris City Council, Lamar County Commissioners Court and Paris Junior College Board for their review and approval. 4. After the Paris City Council has been briefed on the proposed tax abatement offer and they have directed the Committee to move forward, the Paris City Attorney will draft the initial tax abatement agreement for review by the Tax Abatement Committee, the PEDC Board and representatives of each Taxing Jurisdiction. 5. Electronic versions of the City's abatement agreement will be provided to the County and PJC so all agreements have consistent language, terms and conditions. 6. Following Tax Abatement Committee review of the draft agreement, it will be sent to the applicant's legal counsel for review and comment. Any changes requested by the tax abatement applicant will be reviewed and considered by the Committee and City Attorney. 7. Once the Agreement is finalized, it will be placed on the PEDC Agenda for review and action by the PEDC Board. 8. Once the Tax Abatement Agreement has been formally approved by the PEDC Board, the Agreement shall be forwarded to the Paris City Council, Lamar County Commissioner's Court and Paris Junior College Board of Regents for final consideration and action. Public Hearing 1. The Taxing Jurisdictions will comply with certain public notices and hearings required as