TAX NEWS - JUNE 2010

Florida Tax: Tax abatement to be on ballot

The proponents of having Highlands County give tax breaks as an incentive to attract new companies here have formed a political committee.

The Jobs for Highlands Political Committee has been meeting for several months preparing for the tax abatement question that will appear on the ballot in the August primary. The question will basically ask if the Highlands County Commission should or should not have the authority to grant tax exemptions.

The county commission will be able to allow abatements on a case-by-case basis. A prospective company may be exempted from paying all of its property taxes or perhaps a percentage for a certain period of time.

The abatement can be revoked and it doesn't eliminate the payment of impact fees.

Dan Murphy, executive director of the Highlands County Economic Development Commission, said companies would still have to pay school taxes.

"We need to be playing on a level playing field," Murphy said.

Murphy noted that most of the surrounding counties in the region, including Okeechobee, Glades, Hardee, Polk and Hendry, have tax abatement.

Tax abatement is a more important tool now, Murphy said, because he has received more inquiries this year from prospective companies.

"My whole vision is to create lots of jobs," Murphy said.

The committee includes several members or former members of the Highlands County EDC board of directors. Ronnie Carter is the chairman and John Payne, who is a former member of the board, is the treasurer. Other people in the community have also been attending the meetings.

The committee agreed last month to hire Sebring public relations professional Casey Wohl to make presentations to various groups and organizations. Wohl will work 25 hours a month for three months and be paid $2,125 per month.

The committee will meet at 3 p.m. Monday, June 7 at the Highlands County Economic Development Commission board room in Sebring.