HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2001-R0386 - Joint Resolution With County To Adopt Guidelines For Industrial Tax Abatement - 09/27/2001Resolution No. 2001-RO386
September 27, 2001
Item No. 45
RESOLUTION
JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LUBBOCK AND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF LUBBOCK COUNTY
TO ADOPT GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA FOR INDUSTRIAL TAX
ABATEMENT AGREEMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROPERTY
REDEVELOPMENT AND TAX ABATEMENT ACT.
WHEREAS, in September/October of 1999, Guidelines and Criteria Governing
Tax Abatement for all Taxing Units within Lubbock County were approved; and
WHEREAS, the guidelines and criteria approved will expire under the terms of
the Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act upon the second anniversary of
their adoption; NOW THEREFORE:
BE IT JOINTLY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LUBBOCK AND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF LUBBOCK COUNTY:
THAT the City Council of the City of Lubbock and the County Commissioners of
Lubbock County hereby approve and adopt Guidelines and Criteria Governing Industrial
Tax Abatement for all Taxing Units within Lubbock County, which guidelines and
criteria are attached as Exhibit "A" and are made a part hereof for all intents and
purposes. These guidelines shall become effective upon expiration of the previously
approved guidelines.
Passed by the City Council this 27th day of September 2001.
WINDY SlTk, MAYOR
ATTEST:
Rebecca Garza, City Secretary
4dRicha
VIED AS TO CONTENT:
Burdine, Assistant City Manager
VED AS TO FORM:
G. Vandiver, First Assistant City A
Passed by the Lubbock County Commissioners this day of & - ,
2001.
TOM HEAD, COUNTY JUDGE
ATTEST:
Doris Ruf Wunty Clerk
Ddres/AbateResInd0 t
September 12, 2001
Resolution No. 2001—RO386
EXHIBIT ickl
GUIDELINES AND CRITtk1lAGO�/E 2NING TAX ABATEMENT
FOR SELECTED TAXING UNITS CONhAINED WITHIN
LUBBOCK COUNTY
SECTION I. General Puroose:
The Affected Jurisdictions located wholly within or partially within the County of Lubbock, Texas,
are committed to the promotion of high quality development in all parts of Lubbock County, Texas;
and to an ongoing improvement in the quality of life for the citizens residing within the Affected
Jurisdictions. The Affected Jurisdictions recognize that these objectives are generally served by
enhancement and expansion of the local economy. The Affected Jurisdictions will, on a case by
case basis, give consideration to providing tax abatement, as authorized by V.T.C.A., Tax Code,
Chapter 312, as stimulation for economic development within the Affected Jurisdictions. It is the
policy of the Affected Jurisdictions that said consideration will be provided in accordance with the
guidelines and criteria herein set forth and in conformity with the Tax Code.
Nothing contained herein shall imply, suggest or be understood to mean THAT the Affected
Jurisdictions are under any obligation to provide tax abatement to any applicant and attention is
called to V.T.C.A., Tax Code, Section 312.002(d). With the above rights reserved all applications
for tax abatement will be considered on a case by case basis.
SECTION II. Definitions:
As used within these guidelines and criteria, the following words or phrases shall have the
following meaning:
1. Abatement of Taxes: To exempt from ad valorem taxation all or part of the value of
certain Improvements placed on land located in a reinvestment zone designated for
economic development purposes as of the date specified in the Tax Abatement
Agreement for a period of time not to exceed ten (10) years.
2. Affected Jurisdiction: The County of Lubbock and City of Lubbock.
3. Abatement Agreement: (1) A contract between a property owner and an Affected
Jurisdiction for the abatement of taxes on qualified property located within the
reinvestment zone; or, (2) a contract for the abatement of taxes between an Affected
Jurisdiction and a certified air carrier who owns or leases Real Property located within
the reinvestment zone or Personal Property or both as authorized by V.T.C.A., Tax
Code, Section 312.204(e)
4. Base Year Value: The assessed value of property eligible for tax abatement as of
January 1 preceding the execution of an Abatement Agreement as herein defined.
5. Distribution Center Facility: A building or structure including Tangible Personal
Property used or to be used primarily to receive, store, service or distribute goods or
materials.
6. Expansion of Existing Facilities or Structures: The addition of buildings,
structures, machinery or equipment to a Facility.
7. Existing Facility or Structure: A facility as of the date of execution of the Tax
Abatement Agreement, located in or on Real Property eligible for tax abatement.
2001 Industrial Guidelines
Industrial Tax Abatement Guidelines
2001
Page 2
8. Facility: The improvements made to Real Property eligible for tax abatement and
including the building or structure erected on such Real Property and/or any Tangible
Personal Property to be located in or on such property.
9. Improvements to Real Property or Improvements: Shall mean the construction,
addition to, structural upgrading of, replacement of, or completion of any facility
located upon, or to be located upon, Real Property, as herein defined, or any Tangible
Personal Property placed in or on said Real Property.
10. Manufacturing Facility: A Facility which is or will be used for the primary purpose of
the production of goods or materials or the processing or change of goods or
materials to a finished product.
11. Modernization/Renovation of Existing Facilities: The replacement or upgrading of
existing facilities.
12. New Facility: The construction of a Facility on previously undeveloped real property
eligible for tax abatement.
13. New Permanent Job: Anew employment position created by a business that has
provided employment to an employee of at least 1,820 hours annually and intended to
be an employment position that exists during the life of the abatement.
14. Other Basic Industry: A Facility other than a distribution center facility, a research
facility, a regional service facility or a manufacturing facility which produces goods or
services or which creates new or expanded job opportunities and services a market
of which 50% of revenues come from outside of Lubbock County, Texas.
15. Owner: The record title owner of Real Property or the legal owner of Tangible
Personal Property. In the case of land leased from an Affected Jurisdiction or
buildings leased from a private party or tax exempt property, the lessee shall be
deemed the owner of such leased property together with all improvements and
Tangible Personal Property located thereon.
16. Productive Life: The number of years a Facility is expected to be in service.
17. Real Property: Land on which Improvements are to be made or fixtures placed.
18. Regional Services Facility: A Facility, the primary purpose of which is to service or
repair goods or materials and which creates job opportunities within the Affected
Jurisdictions.
19. Reinvestment Zone: Real Property designated as a Reinvestment Zone under the
provisions of V.T.C.A., Tax Code, Section 312.202.
20. Research Facility: A Facility used or to be used primarily for research or
experimentation to improve or develop new goods and/or services or to improve or
develop the production process for such goods and/or services.
21. Tangible Personal Property: Any Personal Property, not otherwise defined herein
and which is necessary for the proper operation of any type of Facility.
Industrial Tax Abatement Guidelines
2001
Page 3
SECTION III. Intent of Criteria and Guidelines:
The Intent of the criteria and guidelines, as herein set forth, is to establish the minimum standards
which an applicant for tax abatement must meet in order to be considered for such status by the
Affected Jurisdictions.
SECTION IV. Criteria and Guidelines for Tax Abatement:
Any type of Facility will be eligible for tax abatement consideration provided such Facility meets
the following guidelines and criteria:
1. To qualify for Tax Abatement, the company must meet both of the following criteria:
a) The modernization or expansion of an existing facility of any type as herein
defined or construction of a new facility of any type as herein defined.
b) Producer, manufacturer or distributor of goods and services of which 50 percent
or more are distributed outside of Lubbock County.
2. In addition to the aforementioned, the taxing jurisdiction will consider abatement only
if the company meets one of the following criteria:
a) One of the following target industries:
i) Electronics/Electrical/Assembly: Manufacturing: Semiconductor
Fabrication.
ii) Value-added Agricultural Production including Food Processing and
Machinery
iii) Med Tech Research/Manufacturing/Assembly
iv) Aviation/Avionics Production/Rehab
v) Warehouse/Distribution
vi) Corporate Headquarters of a Regional/National Service Center
b) The project is not included as a target industry, but has the potential of generating
additional significant economic development opportunities to Lubbock
3. The company must meet one of the following criteria:
a) The project will add at least $1 million in real estate assessed valuation, or $2
million of personal property assessed valuation, or 25 new permanent jobs if the
facility is a new company to Lubbock.
b) The project will add at least $500,000 in real estate assessed valuation, or $1
million in personal property assessed valuation, or 20 new permanent jobs if the
Industrial Tax Abatement Guidelines
2001
Page 4
facility is a modernization or expansion of an existing company that has
operated in Lubbock for five or more years.
4. New or existing facilities,of any type herein defined, located in a reinvestment zone or
upon Real Property eligible for such status will be eligible for consideration for tax
abatement status provided that all other criteria and guidelines are satisfied
5. Improvements to Real Property are eligible for tax abatement status.
6. The following types of Property shall be ineligible for tax abatement status and shall
be fully taxed.
a) Real Property;
b) inventories or supplies;
C) tools;
d) furnishings and other forms of movable personal property;
e) vehicles;
f) aircraft;
g) housing;
h) boats;
i) hotel accommodations;
j) motel accommodations;
k) retail businesses;
1) property owned by the State of Texas or any State agency; and,
m) property owned or leased by a member of the affected Jurisdiction that did
not have an active tax abatement in place before they became a member of
the governing body or commission.
7. In order for a Facility to qualify for abatement, the following conditions must apply:
a) The owner or leaseholder of real property must make eligible improvements
to the real property; and,
b) In the case of lessees, the leaseholder must have a lease commitment of at
least five (5) years.
8. In reinvestment zones, the amount and term of abatement shall be determined on a
case by case basis, however, in no event shall taxes be abated for a term in excess
of ten (10) years. The amount of the taxable value of Improvements to be abated and
Industrial Tax Abatement Guidelines
2001
Page 5
the term of the abatement shall be determined by the municipality in all cases where
the property for which tax abatement is applied for is within the City limits of the City
or by the County of Lubbock in all cases where the property for which tax abatement
is applied for is outside of the City limits of a municipality, but within the County of
Lubbock, except that a reinvestment zone that is a state enterprise zone is
designated for the same period as a state enterprise zone as provided by Chapter
2303, Government Code. The authority of all other taxing units shall be as set forth in
V.T.C.A., Tax Code, Section 312.206.
In enterprise zones, the governing body of each taxing jurisdiction may execute a
written agreement with the owner of the property. The agreement may, but is not
required to, contain terms that are identical to those contained in the agreement with
the municipality, county, or both, whichever applies, and the only terms for the
agreement that may vary are the portion of the property that is to be exempt from
taxation under the agreement and the duration of the agreement.
9. No property shall be eligible for tax abatement unless such property is located in a
reinvestment zone in accordance with V.T.C.A., Tax Code, Section 312.202 and the
tax abatement application is filed with the taxing jurisdiction before construction
begins.
10. Notwithstanding any of the requirements set forth in Section IV Subsection 3, the
governing body of an Affected Jurisdiction upon the affirmative vote of a three-fourths
(3/4) of its members may vary any of the above requirements when variation is
demonstrated by the applicant for Tax Abatement that variation is in the best interest
of the Affected Jurisdiction to do so and will enhance the economic development of
the Affected Jurisdiction. By way of example only and not by limitation the governing
body of an Affected Jurisdiction may consider the following or similar terms in
determining whether a variance shall be granted:
a) That the increase in productivity of the Facility will be substantial and hence
directly benefit the economy.
b) That the increase of goods or services produced by the Facility will be substantial
and directly benefit the economy.
c) That the employment maintained at the Facility will be increased.
d) That the waiver of the requirement will contribute and provide for the retention of
existing jobs within the Affected Jurisdiction.
e) That the applicant for tax abatement has demonstrated that if tax abatement is
granted to his Facility even though his Facility will not employ additional personnel
THAT nevertheless due to the existence of said Facility new jobs will be created
as a direct result of his Facility in other facilities located within the Affected
Jurisdiction.
f) Any other evidence tending to show a direct economic benefit to the Affected
Jurisdiction.
Industrial Tax Abatement Guidelines
2001
Page 6
11. Taxability:
a) The portion of the value of Improvements to be abated shall be abated in
accordance with the terms and provisions of a Tax Abatement Agreement
executed between the Affected Jurisdiction and the owner of the Real Property
and/or Tangible Personal Property, (which agreement shall be) in accord with the
provisions of V.T.C.A., Tax Code, Section 312.205.
b) All ineligible property, if otherwise taxable as herein described, shall be fully
taxed.
12. The governing body of each Affected Jurisdiction shall have total discretion as to
whether tax abatement is to be granted. Such discretion, as herein retained, shall be
exercised on a case by case basis. The adoption of these guidelines and criteria by
the governing body of an Affected Jurisdiction does not:
a) Limit the discretion of the governing body to decide whether to enter into a
specific tax abatement agreement;
b) Limit the discretion of the governing body to delegate to its employees the
authority to determine whether or not the governing body should consider a
particular application or request for tax abatement; or,
c) Create any property, contract, or other legal right in any person to have the
governing body consider or grant a specific application or request for tax
abatement.
13. The burden to demonstrate that an application for tax abatement should be granted
shall be upon the applicant. Each Affected Jurisdiction to which the application has
been directed shall have full authority to request any additional information from the
applicant that the governing body of such Affected Jurisdiction deems necessary to
assist it in considering such application.
SECTION V. Criteria and Guidelines for Creation of Reinvestment Zone:
1. No Property shall be eligible for tax abatement unless such property is located in a
reinvestment zone designated as such in accordance with V.T.C.A., Tax Code,
Section 312.202. To be designated as a reinvestment zone an area must meet one
of the following:
a) Substantially arrest or impair the sound growth of the municipality or county
creating the zone, retard the provision of housing accommodations, or constitute
an economic or social liability and be a menace to the public health, safety,
morals, or welfare in its present condition and use because of the presence of:
1. a substantial number of substandard, slum, deteriorated, or deteriorating
structures;
2. the predominance of defective or inadequate sidewalks or streets;
3. faulty size, adequacy, accessibility or usefulness of lots;
Industrial Tax Abatement Guidelines
2001
Page 7
4. unsanitary or unsafe conditions;
5. the deterioration of site or other improvements;
6. tax or special assessment delinquency exceeding the fair value of the land;
7. defective or unusual conditions of title;
8. conditions that endanger life or property by fire or other cause; or,
9. any combination of these factors;
a) Be predominantly open and, because of obsolete platting, deterioration of
structures or site improvements, or other factors, substantially impair or
arrest the sound growth of the municipality;
b) Be in a federally assisted new community located in a home rule
municipality or in an area immediately adjacent to a federally assisted
new community located in a home rule municipality;
c) Be located entirely in an area that meets the requirements for federal
assistance under Section 119 of the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. Section 5318);
d) Encompass signs, billboards, or other outdoor advertising structures
designated by the governing body of the municipality for relocation,
reconstruction, or removal for the purpose of enhancing the physical
environment of the municipality, which the legislature declares to be a
public purpose; or,
e) Be reasonably likely as a result of the designation to contribute to the
retention or expansion of primary employment or to attract major
investment in the zone that would be a benefit to the property and that
would contribute to the economic development of the municipality.
2. For purposes of this Section, federally assisted new community is a federally assisted
area:
a) That has received or will receive assistance in the form of loan guarantees under
Title X of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C., Section 1749aa et seq); and,
b) A portion of which has received grants under Section 107 (a)(1) of the Housing
and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended.
3. The governing body of a municipality, as required by Section 312.201, or a county, as
required by V.T.C.A., Tax Code, Section 312.401, shall hold a public hearing on the
designation of an area within its jurisdiction as a reinvestment zone. The burden shall
be on the owner of the property sought to be included in the zone or applicant for the
creation of the reinvestment zone to establish the following:
a) That the requirements of Subsection 1 of this Section have been met.
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2001
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b) That the improvements sought are feasible and practical.
4. No later than the seventh day before the date set for the above public hearing notice
of such hearing shall be:
a) Published in a newspaper having general circulation in the Affected Jurisdiction.
b) Delivered in writing to the presiding officer of the governing body of each taxing
unit that includes in its boundaries Real Property that is to be included in the
reinvestment zone.
5. At the public hearing above described in Subsection 3 above, any interested person
is entitled to speak and present evidence for or against the designation of such
reinvestment zone.
6. At the conclusion of the hearing described in Subparagraph 3 above, the governing
body shall enter its findings as follows:
a) That the applicant or owner has or has not met his burden as hereinabove set
forth, and/or,
b) That the improvements sought are or are not feasible and practical.
c) That the proposed improvements sought will or will not be a benefit to the land to
be included in the reinvestment zone and to the Affected Jurisdiction after the
expiration of an agreement entered into under V.T.C.A., Tax Code, Section
312.204.
7. An application for the creation of a reinvestment zone shall not be granted unless the
Affected Jurisdiction considering such application enters affirmative findings to
Subparagraphs a, b, and c of Subsection 6 above set forth.
8. At the conclusion of the public hearing herein required and upon the affirmative
finding of the governing body as required by Subsection 7 above set forth, the
governing body may designate a reinvestment zone in accordance with the provisions
of V.T.C.A., Tax Code, Sections 312.201 or 312.401, whichever Section shall be
applicable under the premises.
9. The designation of a reinvestment zone expires five years after the date of the
designation and may be renewed for periods not to exceed five years, except that a
reinvestment zone that is a state enterprise zone is designated for the same period as
a state enterprise zone as provided by Chapter 2303, Government Code. The
expiration of the designation does not affect an existing tax abatement agreement
made in accordance with V.T.C.A., Tax Code, Section 312.201 through Section
312.209.
10. Designation of an area as an enterprise zone under the Texas Enterprise Zone Act,
Chapter 2303, Subchapter C, Texas Government Code, constitutes designation of the
area as a reinvestment zone under Subchapter B of the Property Redevelopment and
Tax Abatement Act without further hearing or other procedural requirements other
Industrial Tax Abatement Guidelines
2001
Page 9
than those provided by the Texas Enterprise Zone Act, Chapter 2303, Subchapter C,
Texas Government Code.
SECTION VI. Tax Abatement Agreement:
1. After the creation of a reinvestment zone as hereinabove authorized a Tax Abatement
Agreement may be executed between the owner and any Affected Jurisdiction. A
Tax Abatement Agreement shall:
a) Establish and set forth the Base Year assessed value of the property for which
tax abatement is sought.
b) Provide that the taxes paid on the base year assessed value shall not be abated
as a result of the execution of said Tax Abatement Agreement.
c) Provide that ineligible property as subscribed in Section IV, Subsection 6,
hereinabove shall be fully taxed.
d) Provide for the exemption of Improvements in each year covered by the
agreement only to the extent the value of such Improvements for each such year
exceeds the value for the year in which the agreement is executed.
e) Fully describe and list the kind, number and location of all of the improvements to
be made in or on the Real Property.
f) Set forth the estimated value of all improvements to be made in or on the Real
Property.
g) Clearly provide that tax abatement shall be granted only to the extent:
1. The Improvements to Real Property increase the value of the Real Property
for the year in which the Tax Abatement Agreement is executed; and,
2. That the Tangible Personal Property improvements to Real Property were not
located on the Real Property prior to the execution of the Tax Abatement
Agreement.
h) Provide for the portion of the value of the improvements to Real Property of
improvements to be abated. This determination is to be made consistent with the
provisions of Section IV, Subsection 6, of these guidelines and criteria as
hereinabove set forth.
i) Provide for the commencement date and the termination date. In no event shall
said dates exceed a period of ten years.
j) Describe the type and proposed use of the improvements to Real Property or
improvements including:
1. The type of facility.
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2001
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2. Whether the improvements are for a new facility, modernization of a facility,
or expansion of a facility.
3. The nature of the construction, proposed time table of completion, a map or
drawings of the improvements above mentioned.
4. The amount of investment and the commitment for the creation of new jobs.
5. A list containing the kind, number and location of all proposed Improvements.
6. Any other information required by the Affected Jurisdiction.
k) Provide a legal description of the Real Property upon which improvements are to
be made.
1) Provide access to and authorize inspection of the Real Property or improvements
by employees of the Affected Jurisdiction, who have executed a Tax Abatement
Agreement with owner to insure improvements are made according to the
specifications and conditions of the Tax Abatement Agreement.
m) Provide for the limitation of the uses of the Real Property or improvements
consistent with the general purpose of encouraging development or
redevelopment of the zone during the period covered by the Tax Abatement
Agreement.
n) Provide the contractual obligations in the event of default by owner, violation of
the terms or conditions by owner, recapturing property tax revenue in the event
owner defaults or otherwise fails to make improvements as provided in said Tax
Abatement Agreement, and any other provision as may be required or authorized
by State Law.
o) Contain each term agreed to by the owner of the property.
p) Require the owner of the property to certify annually to the governing body of
each taxing unit that the owner is in compliance with each applicable term of the
agreement.
q) Provide that the governing body of the municipality may cancel or modify the
agreement if the property owner fails to comply with the agreement.
Not later than the seventh day before a municipality or the County of Lubbock(as
required by V.T.C.A., Tax Code, Section 312.2041 or Section 312.402) enters into an
agreement for tax abatement under V.T.C.A., Tax Code, Section 312.204, the
governing body of a municipality or a designated officer or employee thereof or the
governing body of the county of Lubbock or a designated officer or employee thereof
shall deliver to the presiding officer of the governing body of each of the taxing units in
which the property to be subject to the agreement is located, a written notice that the
municipality or the County of Lubbock as the case may be, intends to enter into the
agreement. The notice must include a copy of the proposed Tax Abatement
Agreement.
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2001
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3. A notice, as above described in Subparagraph 2, is presumed delivered when placed
in the mail, postage paid and properly addressed to the appropriate presiding officer.
A notice properly addressed and sent by registered or certified mail for which a return
receipt is received by the sender is considered to have been delivered to the
addressee.
4. Failure to deliver the notice does not affect the validity of the agreement.
SECTION VII. Application:
1. Any present owner of taxable property located within an Affected Jurisdiction may
apply for tax abatement by filing an application with the county of Lubbock, when the
Real Property or Tangible Personal Property for which abatement is sought is located
within the County of Lubbock but outside of the City limits of any City or with the
appropriate City when the Real Property or Tangible Personal Property for which
abatement is sought is located within the City limits of a municipality located wholly or
partially within Lubbock County.
2. The application shall consist of a completed application form accompanied by:
a) A general description of the improvements to be undertaken.
b) A descriptive list of the improvements for which tax abatement is requested.
c) A list of the kind, number and location of all proposed improvements of the Real
Property Facility or Existing Facility.
d) A map indicating the approximate location of improvements on the Real Property
Facility or Existing Facility together with the location of any or all Existing
Facilities located on the Real Property or Facility.
e) A list of any and all Tangible Personal Property presently existing on the Real
Property or located in an existing facility.
f) A proposed time schedule for undertaking and completing the proposed
improvements.
g) A general description stating whether the proposed improvements are in
connection with:
1. the modernization of a facility (of any type herein defined); or,
2. construction of a new facility (of any type herein defined); or,
3. expansion of a facility (of any type herein defined); or,
4. any combination of the above.
h) A statement of the additional value to the Real Property or Facility as a result of
the proposed improvements.
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2001
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i) A statement of the assessed value of the Real Property, Facility or Existing
Facility for the Base Year.
j) Information concerning the number of new jobs that will be created or information
concerning the number of existing jobs to be retained as result of the
improvements undertaken.
k) Any other information which the Affected Jurisdiction, to which the application has
been directed, deems appropriate for evaluating the financial capacity of the
applicant and compatibility of the proposed improvements with these guidelines
and criteria.
1) Information that is provided to an Affected Jurisdiction in connection with an
application or request for tax abatement and which describes the specific
processes or business activity to be conducted or the equipment or other property
to be located on the property for which tax abatement is sought is confidential and
not subject to public disclosure until the Tax Abatement Agreement is executed.
Information in the custody of an Affected Jurisdiction after the agreement is
executed is not confidential. (V.T.C.A., Tax Code, Section 312.003).
m) The Affected Jurisdiction to whom the application for tax abatement has been
directed shall determine if the property described in said application is within a
designated reinvestment zone. If the Affected Jurisdiction determines that the
property described is not within a current reinvestment zone then they shall so
notify the applicant and said application shall then be considered both as an
application for the creation of a reinvestment zone and a request for tax
abatement to be effective after the zone is created.
SECTION Vlll. Recapture
In the event that any type of facility, (as defined in Section 11, Subparagraphs 5, 6, 7,
8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 18, 20) is completed and begins producing goods or services, but
subsequently discontinues producing goods or services for any reason, excepting
fire, explosion or other casualty or accident or natural disaster or other event beyond
the reasonable control of applicant or owner for a period of 180 days during the term
of a tax abatement agreement, then in such even the Tax Abatement Agreement shall
terminate and all abatement of taxes shall likewise terminate. Taxes abated during
the calendar year in which termination takes place shall be payable to each Affected
Jurisdiction by no later than January 31st of the following year. Taxes abated in
years prior to the year of termination shall be payable to each Affected Jurisdiction
within sixty (60) days of the date of termination. The burden shall be upon the
applicant or owner to prove to the satisfaction of the Affected Jurisdiction to who the
application for tax abatement was directed that the discontinuance of producing
goods or services was as a result of fire, explosion, or other casualty or accident of
natural disaster or other event beyond the control of applicant or owner. In the event
that applicant or owner meets this burden and the Affected Jurisdiction is satisfied
that the discontinuance of the production of goods or services was the result of vents
beyond the control of the applicant or owner, then such applicant or owner shall have
a period of one year in which to resume the production of goods and services. In the
event that the applicant or owner fails to resume the production of goods or services
within one year, then the Tax Abatement Agreement shall terminate and the
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2001
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Abatement of all taxes shall likewise terminate. Taxes abated during the calendar
year in which termination takes place shall be payable to each Affected Jurisdiction
by no later than January 31 st of the following year. Taxes abated in years prior to the
year of termination shall be payable to each Affected Jurisdiction within sixty (60)
days of the date of termination. The one year time period, hereinabove mentioned,
shall commence upon written notification from the Affected Jurisdiction to the
applicant or owner.
2. In the event that the applicant or owner has entered into a tax abatement agreement
to make improvements to a facility of any type described in Section 1 above, but fails
to undertake or complete such improvements or fails to create all or a portion of the
number of new jobs provided by the Tax Abatement Agreement, then in such event
the Affected Jurisdiction to whom the application for tax abatement was directed shall
give the applicant or owner sixty (60) days notice of such failure. The applicant or
owner shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Affected Jurisdiction, above
mentioned, that the applicant or owner has commenced to cure such failure within the
sixty (60) days above mentioned. In the event that the applicant or owner fails to
demonstrate that he is taking affirmative action to cure his failure, then in such event
the Tax Abatement Agreement shall terminate and all abatement of taxes shall
likewise terminate. Taxes abated during the calendar year in which termination takes
place shall be payable to each Affected Jurisdiction by no later than January 31st of
the following year. Taxes abated in years prior to the year of termination shall be
payable to each Affected Jurisdiction within sixty (60) days of the date of termination.
3. In the event that the Affected Jurisdiction to whom application for tax abatement was
directed determines that the applicant or owner is in default of any of the terms or
conditions contained in the Tax Abatement Agreement, then in such even the
Affected Jurisdiction, shall give the applicant or owner sixty (60) days written notice to
cure such default. In the event such default is not cured to the satisfaction of the
Affected Jurisdiction within the sixty (60) days notice period, then the Tax Abatement
Agreement shall terminate and all abatement of taxes shall likewise terminate. Taxes
abated during the calendar year in which termination takes place shall be payable to
each Affected Jurisdiction by no later than January 31 st of the following year. Taxes
abated in years prior to the year of termination shall be payable to each Affected
Jurisdiction within sixty (60) days of the date of termination.
4. In the event that the applicant or owner allows ad valorem taxes on property ineligible
for tax abatement owed to any Affected Jurisdiction, to become delinquent and fails to
timely and properly follow the legal procedures for their protest or contest, then in
such even the Tax Abatement Agreement shall terminate and all abatement of taxes
shall likewise terminate. Taxes abated during the calendar year in which termination,
under this subparagraph, takes place shall be payable to each Affected Jurisdiction
by no later than January 31 st of the following year. Taxes abated in years prior to the
year of termination shall be payable to each Affected Jurisdiction within sixty (60)
days of the date of termination.
5. In the even that the applicant or owner, who has executed a tax abatement
agreement with any Affected Jurisdiction, relocates the business for which tax
abatement has been granted, to a location outside of the designated reinvestment
zone, then in such event, the Tax Abatement Agreement shall terminate after sixty
(60) days written notice by the Affected Jurisdiction to the Owner/Applicant. Taxes
abated during the calendar year in which termination, under this subparagraph takes
Industrial Tax Abatement Guidelines
2001
Page 14
place shall be payable to each Affected Jurisdiction by no later than January 31st of
the following year. Taxes abated in years prior to the year of termination shall be
payable to each Affected Jurisdiction within sixty (60) days of the date of termination.
6. The date of termination as that term is used in this Subsection VIII shall, in every
instance, be the 60th day after the day the Affected Jurisdiction sends notice of
default, in the mail to the address shown in the Tax Abatement Agreement to the
Applicant or Owner. Should the default be cured by the owner or Applicant within the
sixty (60) day notice period, the Owner/Applicant shall be responsible for so advising
the Affected Jurisdiction and obtaining a release from the notice of default from the
Affected Jurisdiction, failing in which, the abatement remains terminated and the
abated taxes must be paid.
7. In every case of termination set forth in Subparagraphs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 above, the
Affected Jurisdiction to which the application for tax abatement was directed shall
determine whether default has occurred by Owner (Applicant) in the terms and
conditions of the Tax Abatement Agreement and shall so notify all other Affected
Jurisdictions. Termination of the Tax Abatement Agreement by the Affected
Jurisdiction to which the application for tax abatement was directed shall constitute
simultaneous termination of all Tax Abatement Agreements of all other Affected
Jurisdictions.
8. In the event that a tax abatement agreement is terminated for any reason what so
ever and taxes are not paid within the time period herein specified, then in such
event, the provisions of V.T.C.A., Tax Code, Section 33.01 will apply.
SECTION IX. Miscellaneous:
1. Any notice required to be given by these criteria or guidelines shall be given in the
following manner:
a) To the owner or applicant: written notice shall be sent to the address appearing
on the Tax Abatement Agreement.
b) To an Affected Jurisdiction: written notice shall be sent to the address appearing
on the Tax Abatement Agreement.
2. The Chief Appraiser of the Lubbock Central Appraisal District shall annually assess
the Real and Personal Property comprising the reinvestment zone. Each year, the
applicant or owner receiving tax abatement shall furnish the chief Appraiser with such
information as may be necessary for the abatement. Once value has been
established, the Chief Appraiser shall notify the Affected Jurisdictions which levy
taxes of the amount of assessment.
3. Upon the completion of improvements made to any type of Facility as set forth in
Section VIII, Subparagraph 1 of these criteria and guidelines a designated employee
or employees of any Affected Jurisdiction having executed a tax abatement
agreement with applicant or owner shall have access to the Facility to insure
compliance with the Tax Abatement Agreement.
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2001
Page 15
4. A tax abatement agreement may be assigned to a new owner but only after written
consent has been obtained from all Affected Jurisdictions which have executed such
an agreement with the applicant or owner.
5. These guidelines and criteria are effective upon the date of their adoption by an
Affected Jurisdiction and shall remain in force for two years. At the end of the two
year period these guidelines and criteria may be readopted, modified, amended or
rewritten as the conditions may warrant.
6. Each Affected Jurisdiction shall determine whether or not said Affected Jurisdiction
elects to become eligible to participate in tax abatement. In the even the Affected
Jurisdiction elects by resolution to become eligible to participate in tax abatement,
then such Affected Jurisdiction shall adopt these guidelines and criteria by separate
resolution forwarding a copy of both resolutions to all other Affected Jurisdictions.
7. In the event of a conflict between these guidelines and criteria and V.T.C.A., Tax
Code, Chapter 312, then in such event the Tax Code shall prevail and these
guidelines and criteria interpreted accordingly.
8. The guidelines and criteria once adopted by an Affected Jurisdiction may be amended
or repealed by a vote of three-fourths of the members of the governing body of an
Affected Jurisdiction during the two year term in which these guidelines and criteria
are effective.