Limestone County Commission to consider abatement Monday

Nov. 29--The Limestone County Commission on Monday will consider granting a tax abatement to a company planning to open a $20 million facility.

Tom Hill, president of the Limestone County Economic Development Association, made the pitch at Wednesday's commission work session. He said the company, operating under the legal names Tricap Development LLC and MCH2 Holdings LLC, met qualifications for abatement as determined by the state of Alabama.

"It's another local business that wants to expand," Hill said, adding the owner would be at Monday's meeting to talk more about the project. "They qualify for the abatement, and we recommend you approve that."

The company plans to buy a building and new equipment as part of its $20.8 million investment in Limestone County. Hill said the company plans to hire 50 new employees who will earn an average wage of $18 per hour.

If approved by the commission, a total of $635,380 in property taxes would be abated over a 10-year period for a total of $63,538 per year. The company is also requesting an abatement of sales tax during construction, which Hill said would be about $316,400.

Because educational taxes cannot be abated, Hill estimated the project would generate $173,200 in sales tax for Limestone County Schools. New property taxes for Limestone County Schools are estimated at $48,587 per year for a total of $485,870.

Elsewhere Wednesday, Limestone County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Fred Sloss asked commissioners to consider promoting from deputy to a sergeant the person who coordinates courthouse security. He told commissioners it would be about 18 cents per hour more than the deputy currently makes.

"We need someone to make decisions that a supervisor would make," Sloss said, adding the deputy is already serving the role of a supervisor, only without the pay. "With additional security (at the courthouse), it has required more supervision. He's already doing scheduling and everything required (of a supervisor)."

Also Wednesday, it was revealed it could be up to two more weeks before box trailers are dropped off at county sheds as part of the county's tire recycling program. Commissioners noted there had been an increase in tire dumping as of late. District 3 Commissioner Jason Black said someone dumped a set of tires at the intersection of Huntsville-Browns Ferry and Lucas Ferry roads. Tires were also found dumped near a church in District 1 Commissioner Daryl Sammet's district.

Black recommended his fellow commissioners contact the Sheriff's Office about any items dumped in their respective districts.

The commission meets at 10 a.m. Monday at the Clinton Street Courthouse Annex.

___

(c)2018 The News Courier (Athens, Ala.)

Visit The News Courier (Athens, Ala.) at enewscourier.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.