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Staff and the Economic Development Council recommend that the Board of County Commissioners adopt the attached resolution calling for a tax abatement program referendum to be conducted as part of the November, 1996 election. Also, staff and the Economic Development Council recommend that the Board of County Commissioners adopt the attached tax abatement resolution prior to the November 5, 1996 referendum with the effective date of the resolution being contingent on passage of the tax abatement referendum on November 5, 1996. Commissioner Eggert commented that many local business people and executives feel tax abatement is among a group of programs that are necessary in order to attract businesses to Indian River County. She stated that the county needs more industry in order to balance the tax load being carried by residents. She felt it is very important to take it to the voters for a decision. Commissioner Macht agreed with Commissioner Eggert that this low cost incentive will repay itself many times over. He added that the types of industry the County is attempting to attract will be year-round, and workers will receive fringe benefits. He believed that the target businesses have an inherent characteristic of upgrading the skills of workers, which will have a beneficial effect of upgrading family income. He suggested that concept might be included in the type of employment to target, where workers have the opportunity to go from unskilled or semi -skilled to skilled and diversified. Commissioner Eggert commented that these employees will be buying houses and goods, and providing additional sales tax revenue. Commissioner Bird referred to the memo from County Attorney Vitunac concerning the landlord situation and wondered if the Board needed to incorporate anything in this program to assure the benefit of abatement gets passed to the tenant of a leased commercial facility. County Attorney Vitunac advised that was not required by law, but it could be added to the requirements. He agreed when Director Keating suggested that, because the Board would be looking at each application, instead of putting it in the program, it could be made a condition for approval.of the application. Commissioner Eggert thought the language they were concerned about was already included, and County Attorney Vitunac indicated it was in one of the resolutions. Commissioner Bird stated that the responsibility for taxes depended on the type of lease. He wanted assurance that the savings would be for the benefit of the tenant. 35 May 14, 1996 �� R 0 -