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r JAN 12 190 <br />BOOK 88 PnUE 562 <br />MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Macht, SECONDED by <br />Commissioner Tippin to adopt Resolution 93-15, <br />calling for a special election to determine whether <br />the Board of County Commissioners shall have the <br />power authorized by Section 3, Article VII of the <br />Florida Constitution to grant ad valorem tax <br />exemptions to new businesses and expansions of <br />existing businesses. <br />Under discussion, Commissioner Macht expressed concern that <br />people might jump to the conclusion that there will be some broad <br />and wholesale tax exemptions for selected people, and he urged the <br />Board to clarify the terms under which exemptions will be granted. <br />Commissioner Eggert responded that the press was here when <br />this was presented at the end of December. At that time, the Board <br />established that abatement would only apply to actual improved <br />structures, and that the amount of exemption would be relatively <br />low and under very strict circumstances handled on a case-by-case <br />basis. <br />Commissioner Macht stressed that the Board needs to reassure <br />the public that this is a sound economic device. <br />Commissioner Eggert explained that details regarding this <br />proposed Ordinance will be presented to the Board within the next <br />several weeks. <br />William W. Koolage, 11 Vista Gardens Trail, expressed concern <br />about the County spending money to -have a special election on this <br />issue. He felt that the public will not be fully informed and the <br />turnout will be very small, and that this could wait until a <br />regular election. <br />Commissioner Eggert pointed out that there are no regular <br />elections scheduled until next year, and she felt it was important <br />to expedite this because of the current state of the economy. <br />Peter Robinson, 315 Greytwig Road, supported action to get <br />these incentives in force as soon as possible. He understood Mr. <br />Koolage's concerns but felt that incentives are a very important <br />factor in bringing new businesses into the area. He gave the <br />example of Columbia, SC getting the BMW plant and it was the <br />incentives that brought them there. He mentioned a recent article <br />in Forbes magazine about the growth that is occurring in the west <br />because of incentives. Mr. Robinson agreed that it is -very <br />important for this to be fully explained to the public-. <br />88 <br />