The Economic Development Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Wednesday, November 1, 2006, @ 6:00p.m. in the Legislative Center’s Gathertorium.  Chairman Julia Fullerton called the meeting to order.  Members present were Jerry Augsburger, Sally DeFauw, Steve Slack and Mr. Haines.  Mr. Sands and Mr. Metzger, Sr., were absent.  Ray Bockman and Roger Hopkins were also present.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

          Moved by Mr. Haines, seconded by Ms. DeFauw, and it was carried unanimously to approve the minutes from October 3, 2006.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

          Moved by Mr. Slack, Sr., seconded by Mr. Augsburger, and it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda. 

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR TAX ABATEMENT – CITY OF DEKALB

          Chairman Fullerton asked if the committee had any questions that Mr. Bockman may be able to answer? 

          Mr. Haines asked why Kishwaukee College opts out of the abatement for knowledge-based businesses? 

Mr. Bockman said that they adopted a district-wide policy several  years ago that they will not change. 

          Chairman Fullerton asked how did they come up with the criteria for abatement?  She looked back to see other projects and it seems like the square footage varies a little bit, that is, the square footage to job ratio.  She wondered if Mr. Bockman knew how they came up with those numbers? 

Mr. Bockman said that he did not know.

          Chairman Fullerton said that it seems in the agreement that we are deferring to the City of DeKalb in incidences where there is an assignment or transfer.  Could that be construed as the board delegating its tax authority to another body, don’t we run into a problem there? 

Mr. Bockman said yes, although he doesn’t know if it rises up to the level of illegal delegation of authority.

          Chairman Fullerton then asked Mr. Bockman how many other taxing bodies have signed on to this agreement? 

Mr. Bockman said that he thought all the DeKalb taxing bodies have.

          Mr. Haines said that the way that the agreement is structured is that if the majority of the bodies agree to this that we automatically agree to it. 

Mr. Bockman said yes, that this is problematic because of our meeting cycle and those requirements.  The way that it is structured is that a firm would make any application to the City of DeKalb. The City would get that out to all of the participating taxing bodies.  This would then trigger a 30-day period during which you could say nothing or object to it.  If you say nothing its your recommended approval. If you object and are not in the majority, you approve by becoming a party to this agreement.

Moved by Mr. Haines to not enter into the proposed agreement with the City of DeKalb on the Intergovernmental Agreement on Tax Abatement. 

Mr. Bockman said that what he suggests was to keep the status

quo.  The county has yet to decline to participate in any of their projects.  Rather than us become a party to this agreement, why not tell us when you have a project, send it to us, we will take it to the committee, who in turn would forward it to the full board for approval and we will let you know if we will participate in it or not.   

          After further discussion, the motion that Mr. Haines made was seconded by Mr. Augsburger and it was carried unanimously not to enter into the Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of DeKalb on Tax Abatements.

          The committee further agreed that they would continue with the status quo.  Mr. Bockman will send a letter to the City Manager and let him know that the County will follow the past practices.  Mr. Bockman will also send a copy of the letter to all committee members.

ADJOURNMENT

          Moved by Mr. Augsburger, seconded by Ms. DeFauw, and it was carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting

                                                          Respectfully submitted,

                                                          ____________________________

                                                          Chairman Julia Fullerton

______________________________

Mary C. Supple, Secretary