NEWBERRY — Newberry County Council has approved two first readings for fee in lieu of tax agreements, and approved a second reading on another.

The first involved Project Prime, which is an expansion of an existing industry. Project Prime is requesting a fee agreement on a three million dollar investment that will involve the creation of 10 jobs.

“There is no special source revenue credit involved. This is a straight fee deal, 20 year term, locked millage (382 mills) and six percent standard assessment ratio,” said County Administrator Wayne Adams.

The first reading was approved after Councilman Bill Waldrop made a motion and Councilman Kirksey Koon seconded.

Council also approved an inducement resolution identifying Project Prime as an economic development project. This means the projects meets the statutory economic development criteria.

The second fee in lieu tax agreement involved Pioneer Frozen Foods. This ordinance provides a six percent assessment ratio, locked millage (382 mills) and a 20 or 30 year term. There is no special source revenue credit involved. This agreement is for a new six million dollar investment.

“The ordinance also provides a 25% credit against a fee stream from an old/existing fee deal until 2032. In the case of the existing fee, the company has continued reporting new investments as qualifying for incentives, even though the investment window for that fee closed in 2012,” Adams said. “As a result, the 25% credit is not against a traditional six percent fee in lieu of tax, it is a 25% credit against a fee stream resulting from a 10.5% assessment ratio.”

This first reading was approved after Councilman Scott Cain made a motion and Councilman Travis Reeder seconded.

The second reading of a fee in lieu of tax agreement was with Kiswire. This agreement consolidates and extends existing fee agreements for all Kiswire facilities within the county. This agreement also provides a combination of variable amount credits (years three-five) and fixed percentage (40%) credits (years six through 20) against the future fee stream relating to the new steel cord facility.

The second reading was approved after Cain made a motion and Reeder seconded.

In other business, Sanborn was approved to perform digital orthoimagery services for the Assessor’s Office. The County has adopted the practice of “re-flying” tax map imagery every five years, in part to help with scheduled reassessments.

The price for this service is $42,810, which is within budget.

Council also approved a bid from Confluence Environmental for airport storm water pollution prevention. South Carolina DHEC requires that this work be performed annually, to include quarterly reports and continuous monitoring. The agreed upon annual cost is within budget at $4,150.

Other business

• Council has approved a third reading of an ordinance transferring authority for conducting municipal elections in the town of Prosperity to Newberry County Registration and Elections Commission.

• Council approved two third readings, and held two public hearing, for two ordinances rezoning a parcel of land from General Commercial to Rural. The new owner would like to use the property for residential purposes.

• Council held a third reading, and a public hearing, rezoning a parcel from Rural to General Commercial. The purpose is to include an ABC store in the existing business at the Chappells crossroads.

Crystal Waldrop, purchasing director, presents recommendations to the council.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_DSC_0151.jpgCrystal Waldrop, purchasing director, presents recommendations to the council.

By Andrew Wigger

awigger@newberryobserver.com

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @ TheNBOnews.