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RESOLUTION NO. 2014- 095
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN
RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA SUPPORTING
REAUTHORIZATION OF THE FLORIDA
ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM, CURRENT-
LY SET TO SUNSET ON DECEMBER 31, 2015
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature created the Florida Enterprise Zone Program in
1982 to encourage private investment in economically distressed areas within Florida; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Enterprise Zone Program has the goals of revitalizing and
rehabilitating distressed areas, encouraging businesses to locate and expand in these areas,
stimulating employment for area residents, and enhancing the general social and economic well-
being; and
WHEREAS, to achieve these goals, state and local governments provide certain tax
incentives to entice businesses to invest and locate in designated enterprise zones; and
WHEREAS, these incentives include job and property tax credits as well as sales tax
refunds; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, the Florida Legislature enacted Chapter 2005-289, Laws of Florida
(HB 1725), which re -designated existing enterprise zones and extended the Enterprise Zone
Program until December 31, 2015; and
WHEREAS, during the 2010 session, the Florida Legislature enacted Chapter 2010-147,
Laws of Florida (SB 1752), which directed the Florida Legislature's Office of Program Policy
Analysis & Government Accountability (OPPAGA) to review and evaluate the Florida
Enterprise Zone Program; and
WHEREAS, in January, 2014, OPPAGA released Report Number 14-01, which found
that in Fiscal Years 2009-10 through 2011-12, the Florida Department of Revenue had disbursed
nearly $111 million in tax credits and sales tax refunds through the Florida Enterprise Zone
Program; and
WHEREAS, the Indian River County/City of Vero Beach Enterprise Zone comprises a
4.7 square mile area to include the Vero Beach Municipal Airport and the adjacent Gifford
community; and
WHEREAS, since the Indian River County/City of Vero Beach Enterprise Zone was
designated in 2005, 390 new jobs have been created in the enterprise zone and over $7.5 million
has been invested in the enterprise zone by private businesses; and
WHEREAS, Section 290.016, Florida Statutes, provides that the Florida Enterprise Zone
program will be repealed effective December 31, 2015; and
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Resolution �v7. 2014-095
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature has the opportunity to extend the Florida Enterprise
Zone Program to 2025 during the 2015 Legislative Session; and
WHEREAS, given the positive impact the Florida Enterprise Zone Program has had on
economic diversification, this Board urges the Florida Legislature to continue the program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Indian River County Florida, that:
Section 1. The above "WHEREAS" clauses are true and correct, and are hereby
adopted as findings of the Board.
Section 2. The Board supports the reauthorization of the Florida Enterprise Zone
Program currently set to sunset on December 31, 2015.
Section 3. The Board directs the Clerk to transmit certified copies of this resolution
to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, and the Chair and Members of the Indian
River County Legislative Delegation.
The foregoing resolution was moved for adoption by Commissioner Davis ,
and seconded by Commissioner Solari , and upon being put to a vote, the vote was
as follows:
Chairman Peter O'Bryan
dye
Vice -Chairman Wesley S. Davis
Ave
Commissioner Joseph E. Flescher
Aye
Commissioner Bob Solari
Ave
Commissioner Tim Zorc
Ave
The Chairman thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and adopted this 14 day
of October, 2014
ATTEST: Jeffrey R. Smith, Clerk
of Court and Comptroller
By:
Deputy Clerk
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency:
IIn
Dylan T. Reingold, County Attorney
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA
t
By:
Peter D. O'Bryan, Chair an