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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final March 30, 2021 <br />Attachments: Staff Report <br />Chapter 1100 Tax Abatement Ordinance <br />Tax Abatement Application <br />ED Element - Policy 2.5 <br />Scoring Guidelines <br />Scoring and Estimated Taxes Abated <br />COC Economic Impact Report <br />Property Appraisers Report <br />Tax Exemption Ordinance <br />Tax Exemption Agreement <br />Economic Development Chief Bill Schutt utilized a PowerPoint presentation to <br />explain the tax abatement evaluation process and financial implications related to <br />Diamond Drinks of Florida's (Diamond) proposed beverage manufacturing <br />business. Chief Schutt noted that Diamond was eligible for a middle -tier tax <br />abatement on new tangible personal property needed to outfit the former citrus <br />packing house. <br />Board discussion opened with Vice Chairman O'Bryan noting that if Diamond <br />failed to meet performance requirements for job creation and wages, the County <br />could lower or revoke their tax benefit. The Vice Chairman concluded with <br />support for Diamond Drinks' abatement application, commenting that they were a <br />good community partner. <br />Commissioner Moss received answers from staff to questions covering topics <br />including the lack of a quorum at the Economic Development Council (EDC) <br />meeting, the definition of an ordinance amendment, and Diamond's classification as <br />an agriculture business. Diamond CEO Tony Cenimo (via Zoom) described for <br />Commissioner Moss the company's commercial lemon grove, the citrus -based <br />beverage packaging business, and the estimated water usage. Mr. Cenimo also <br />clarified that the Indian River County plant represented an expansion, not a <br />downsizing, of their Pennsylvania -based business. <br />Commissioner Earman raised the question of an environmental impact from the <br />manufacturing process. Community Development Director Phil Matson reported <br />that staff found no concerns in their evaluation, and noted the permitting process <br />would allow for further review. Mr. Cenimo advised that Diamond was only <br />processing, not manufacturing, the recyclable plastic bottles they used, and he was <br />confident that their packaging business was not environmentally harmful. <br />Commissioner Earman noted he was supportive of a new agriculture -based <br />business in the County. <br />Following the Commissioners' comments, the Chairman opened the public hearing. <br />Jean Catchpole, Indian River Neighborhood Association, expressed concern for <br />litter and plastic in the environment. She received confirmation that the bottles <br />would be labeled as recyclable. <br />Indian River County Florida Page 2 <br />