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would go forward with legislation to implement it. He stated he was fully supportive of this <br />program for our area because it would give us a level playing field with the surrounding counties. <br />It is a tool to lure new business and assist existing businesses toward expansion. He urged the <br />Commissioners to support it. <br />Debt service and other financial concerns were discussed. <br />County Administrator Baird suggested administration of the EZDA be performed by <br />the local Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Council. <br />Mr. Von Hoff <br /> specified that the EZDA program will sunset December 31, 2005 <br />because the Legislature usually sets a program for 10 years. Extension of the program is currently <br />under consideration by the Senate Commerce Committee and it is expected they will introduce a <br />bill to renew it for another 10 years. <br />Representative Mayfield <br /> saw this as a very successful program and did not foresee <br />that it would be discontinued. <br />County Attorney Collins advised that according to the Statutes, this appears to be a <br />competitive process and wanted to know how competitive it is. <br />Mr. Von Hoff <br /> explained that the new zones do not have the competitive process; it <br />is merely an eligibility request. <br />County Attorney Collins read the weighting requirements and the phrases having to <br />do with investment and inquired if the County would have to make any financial commitments or <br />if that part was done away with along with the competition, and Mr. Von Hoff responded that it is <br />possible that there would be no financial commitments. <br />Commissioner Lowther understood that the citrus packinghouses west of the airport <br />could be included in this district. <br />Ms. Caseltine <br /> confirmed that any business within the district that pays into the state <br />sales tax or the state corporate tax would benefit from this program. She also indicated her <br />previous experience and familiarity with this program and her willingness to take on the <br />responsibility of administering it at the Chamber of Commerce. <br />December 7, 2004 <br />38 <br /> <br />