TC 2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

April 5, 2011 The Mooresville Town Council met in regular session on Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at 6:30 P. M. at the Mooresville Government Center. Town council members present were: President George Watkins,Vice-President Tony Langley, Jeff Cook and John L. Clark. Mark Mathis was absent. Attorney Tim Currens was present. Council President George Watkins gave the prayer. A motion was made by Councilman Clark with a second by Councilman Langley to approve minutes of March 19, 2011 meeting. Motion carried 4-0. The council received and accepted the receipt of a conflict of interest statement for Mark Mathis by a show of hands that was 4-0. Next on the agenda was the Public Hearing for Confirmatory Resolution for Equipment Technologies. Morgan County EDC Director, Joy Sessing,presented the project. Chad Swinney,representative for Equipment Technologies was present. Two confirmatory resolutions were to be heard. One was at their current facility for an abatement on real property and equipment. The other one was at the Merriman property they are purchasing and building a training center and a warehouse. Two people signed the list to speak at the hearing. Virginia Perry, a Mooresville Resident commented on the fictitious name for the company involved that was given to the taxpayers so they had no idea what company was involved. Also she talked about the conflict of interest with council members. Jeff Scalf,residing outside the Town limits, spoke saying it seemed like every company gets a freebie or diminished returns and the Town needed an economic plan that does not give away the store. He went on to say the citizens should not pay for this many company abatements and called it corporate welfare. He thought substantial compliance should be complete and full compliance. He said corporations should pay their fair share of taxes. He said he knew of three small business that were closing because they couldn't receive any help and thought economic development should help them. He also thought there should be an audit to see how many of the corporations employees lived in Mooresville. Council President Watkins commented that abatements are a sad reality of cost of business. He said they are a tool for the town to entice more business and it used to be an exception to the rule but now it is just what is expected. There are penalties and accountabilities were in place and annual forms are submitted but the companies do have to be watched. An abatement has nothing to do with the tax rate. This is a way to get more jobs and more income tax. Equipment Technologies has competed successfully against John Deere and others and their salaries of$45,000 is above the county average. A motion was made by Councilman Clark with a second by Councilman Langley to approve Confirmatory Resolution#5, 2011 for ten year abatement and findings of fact at their existing location in Flagstaff Industrial Park. Motion carried 4-0. A motion was made by Councilman Clark with a second by Councilman Langley to approve Confirmatory Resolution#6, 2011 for ten year abatement and findings of fact for the expansion on the Merriman Property. Motion carried 4-0. . Brent Callahan,Park Superintendent, requested $10,000 from Food and Beverage to replace a walking trail that flooded out due to erosion. The new trail will have to be pulled back from the erosion site far enough to last for a long time. It will take 90 to 120 days to get a review from the State. A motion was made by Councilman Langley with a second by Councilman Cook to approve $10,000 from Food and Beverage to pay for removing the existing trail and restore with vegetation the State approves plus a new trail. Motion carried 4-0. Brent Callahan also asked the council if they were interested in waypoint signs for the Town,Park, School, and maybe Library. Council President Watkins indicated this might be a partnership undertaking and was interested in pursuing. Councilman.Cook and Councilman Langley would like to see this done and thought was long overdue.