By Holly Green
Staff Reporter
May 12, 2008 10:52 pm
—
The Walker County Commissioners Court met for a regular session on Monday morning, setting a public hearing on June 9 to consider a tax abatement request from Weatherford International, Inc.
The court also approved Resolution 2008-22 Tax Abatement Policy for Walker County.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Buddy Reynolds was not in attendance.
David Weeks, Walker County district attorney, advised the commissioners through the steps of the process.
“We need to set up this policy first before we can go forward,” he said. “Once you set the hearing, you must notify the public and all other taxing entities at least seven days before the hearing date.”
The tax abatement policy, modeled after the City of Huntsville’s policy, sets the guidelines and criteria for tax abatement agreements in enterprise or reinvestment zones.
Weatherford representatives were also in attendance, and they were asked to provide the meets and bounds — or measurements of the property — to the court as required by the policy.
According to Walker County Judge Danny Pierce, the court looks forward to supporting the abatement.
“I certainly think that is the feeling of the court,” he said. “This project has been well received. The court intends to move forward on this also, so we’re laying the groundwork for that to happen.”
The Huntsville City Council recently approved a similar tax abatement request from Weatherford in the amount of almost $310,000 over a 10-year period.
The oil field company plans to begin its third phase of development, after purchasing a 15-acre tract next to their already existing property located at 7587 Highway 75 south.
Weatherford currently covers 20 acres within the city limits and with the growth of phase three, will cross the line into the county.
Weatherford first came to Huntsville in 1997.
Its phase one project — a $1 million investment — was completed in June 2007, constructing new expandable threading stations for underground pipes.
After the city approved a tax abatement immediately following phase one completion, phase two continued with the construction of a $3.5 million testing lab, including equipment costs.
Weatherford now looks ahead to phase three — the construction of a large facility to produce the pipes.
During the meeting, the court also approved:
• Minutes for April 28, 2008,
• Proclamation 2008-20 “Hurricane Awareness Week,”
• Purchase of air-card for Internet service for a new laptop to be purchased from grant funds,
• Ratifying Proclamation 2008-21 “COME groundbreaking,”
• Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between Walker County and the City of Huntsville for work at the HEARTS Museum,
• H-GAC Grantee Agreement for Downtown Spaces Improvement Program,
• Budget calendar for FY2009 and receive input on priorities of Commissioners’ Court,
• Proclamation 2008-23 “Mental Health Awareness Month,”
• Contract for Services Agreement with Independent Contractor,
• Assignment of 2001 Chevrolet Lumina, FAS #579 for use in the mail program and other offices at the Annex,
• Change order #008 to Contract with Brothers Construction Co. to install 10 canopy footings,
• Agreement with JP Morgan Chase, N.A. for participation in procurement card and corporate travel charge card programs,
• Certificate of resolutions 2008-23 with JP Morgan Chase, N.A. for participation in procurement card and corporate travel charge card programs,
• Claims/invoices submitted for payment,
• Budget adjustments for FY08,
• Discuss financial information for the month ended March 31, 2008,
• Amended Credit Card Policy 2.18 and Employee Agreement for Use of County Credit Cards,
• Resolution and Order 2008-24 “Approval of Claims for Payment,”
• Amended Expense reimbursement Policy 8.01,
• Bill paying,
• Contract for Aflac services for the 2008-2009 plan year.
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