Commissioners consider property tax abatement
By DAVID LOWE Staff Writer

A manufacturer considering bringing as many as 50 jobs to Lampasas County is seeking a property tax abatement.

In a presentation Monday to the Lampasas County Commissioners Court, Lampasas City Manager Michael Stoldt said city officials have broached the subject of a possible abatement for the company. He did not name the company in open session but said he could provide the court with more details if it met in executive session relating to economic development at a later meeting.

The manufacturer may employ as many as 30 welders, 10 general laborers and a few office personnel.

"This company makes a number one-class product," City Secretary Cherry Hargrove said. "It's agriculture related. It fits in with who we are."

Stoldt asked the Commissioners Court to consider less of a tax reduction than Oil States Industries and Windsor Foods have received, because the possible new manufacturer would not employ as many workers or invest as much in property as the two companies already in Lampasas.

The company is negotiating on an existing building outside the Lampasas city limits. The manufacturer would not pay city property taxes if it locates to the county.

"I would certainly like to see some more business come into town that would create anywhere from 30 to 50 more jobs," County Judge Wayne Boultinghouse said.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Robert Vincent, however, said he would not be ready to vote until the court determines if the company's equipment would hold its taxable value.

"I'm not opposed to this," Vincent said. "I just want questions answered before we agree to this."

The court voted 5-0 to table the discussion. Stoldt said county commissioners still have plenty of time to decide, as city officials approached the court early in the process of abatement negotiations.

In another item, the court unanimously disapproved the Lampasas County Appraisal District's proposed 2007-08 budget. The proposal calls for a spending plan of $405,411, an increase from the 2006-07 budget of $390,230.

The proposal includes a $10,425 decrease in the appraisal portion and a $25,606 collections increase.

Commissioners said they oppose the appraisal district's salary increases of about 5 percent, which they called one of the highest pay hikes for a governmental entity in the county. "It's kind of hard to vote `yes' to give them a 5 percent increase when we have to turn around and approve just a 3.7 percent pay increase for our employees," Vincent said.

The rest of the budget looked fine, the commissioner said.

The county's 'no' vote probably won't halt the proposed appraisal district budget increase. County Auditor Jack Clark said three of the five taxing entities in the county have to disapprove to stop a budget. Lampasas Independent School District approval usually means the appraisal district budget passes, Clark added.

In other business, the Commissioners Court unanimously OK'd a resolution approving a grant application for the Major Crimes Assistance Unit.

"We've been very fortunate to get this," said Chief Deputy David Whitis of the Sheriff's Department, which received grant funding for the current budget year, which ends Sept. 30. "So far the Major Crimes Unit has been very successful."

In another 5-0 vote, the court approved a list of seven candidates for $60,000 forgivable home loan grants. The list includes five "definites", one backup and one incomplete application to be completed later.

Commissioners tabled consideration of cleaning John Woodruff's property in Adamsville. The court acknowledged the need to clean the property, where trash is blocking a private road used by other homeowners, but commissioners want to determine whether the county will incur charges for cleaning up soil contamination.

"Just cleaning the surface up is not really the end of the problem," Precinct 3 Commissioner Lowell Ivey said.

Vincent estimated cleanup of oil below ground could cost thousands of dollars.

The court also accepted a schedule for regular meetings, which will take effect Jan. 1. The Commissioners Court will continue to meet the second and fourth Monday of every month. In case of a Monday holiday, the court will meet the next regular business day.