tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11887973.post4763388387231498717..comments2023-11-02T04:58:34.355-04:00Comments on Libertarian Party of Allen County, Indiana: Fort Wayne and Economic DevelopmentJeannette Jaquishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226385515110623744noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11887973.post-32297520747452826122007-10-25T23:26:00.000-04:002007-10-25T23:26:00.000-04:00No matter who or they try to defend this action fr...No matter who or they try to defend this action from the time someone dreamed it up was wrong.<BR/><BR/>Jeff, I agree with you and NO ONE gets a free pass. The is a NO BUCK PASSING ZONE!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11887973.post-30718364341610967222007-10-25T22:51:00.000-04:002007-10-25T22:51:00.000-04:00When there is a conflict the council should apply ...When there is a conflict the council should apply their best judgement as to whether or not the business needs/deserves the abatement. In this case I think nearly everyone but the councilmembers agree that this is a joke...Jeff Pruitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01996970649630375507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11887973.post-6025442287268736732007-10-25T21:02:00.000-04:002007-10-25T21:02:00.000-04:00It's not up to the Redevelopment Commission - it i...It's not up to the Redevelopment Commission - it is up to City Council. As I mentioned before, the Redevelopment Commission's sole review of tax abatements in TIF districts is to advise City Council whether the money to be abated is needed for projects identified in the redevelopment plan. In this case, there was no such conflict in the use of funds. Redevelopment Commission did express our concerns about the conflicting policy to City Council and did the appropriate thing in allowing the elected body to make the decision.<BR/><BR/>I agree with you that the wage rate should be followed, but what I am trying to say is that the Council policy sets up a conflict and we pointed that out to Council. What I was suggesting in my previous post is that this should be clarified because it is, apparently, confusing.<BR/><BR/>Again, the role of the Commission was NOT to grant the abatement, or even to recommend granting the abatement. It was to advise Council on the fiscal implications of the request.Karen Goldnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11930160147749582244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11887973.post-79337777279657802692007-10-25T19:03:00.000-04:002007-10-25T19:03:00.000-04:00Ms. Goldner,What I see is two standing orders of m...Ms. Goldner,<BR/><BR/>What I see is two standing orders of meeting both goals. Not picking one from column A or B.<BR/><BR/>I also find that the group decided to "bump it upstairs with a do pass" if I remember what I heard. If that is true the commission could have come out with one of two other answers.<BR/><BR/>There is no doubt where Crawford was going Tuesday night and you could tell he was not a happy camper.<BR/><BR/>Then again what will happen when Taco Bell wants to rip out some old building on East State and toss up a place? They will get the same package?<BR/><BR/>Some how I don't think so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11887973.post-60420188188300504132007-10-25T17:19:00.000-04:002007-10-25T17:19:00.000-04:00P.S. Sorry for such a long post.P.S. Sorry for such a long post.Karen Goldnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11930160147749582244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11887973.post-58874823114165045262007-10-25T17:18:00.000-04:002007-10-25T17:18:00.000-04:00Let me save you the trouble, Mike.Several years ag...Let me save you the trouble, Mike.<BR/><BR/>Several years ago City Council established a policy that allows tax abatements for retail/commercial businesses if they are located in targeted central commercial corridors (such as Calhoun Street, State Street, etc.) The purpose of this policy is to encourage businesses to make investments in our older, central business areas. I support that policy.<BR/><BR/>City Council also has a policy that businesses must pay an average of 150% of federal minimum wage in order to receive an abatement. I also support that policy.<BR/><BR/>To my knowledge there had not been a conflict between these 2 policies to date - the retail businesses who have received the abatements are all small enough that the average wage (including the manager, etc.) has met the threshold. However, you can see how the 2 policies could easily conflict, and in this instance they do.<BR/><BR/>As a Redevelopment Commission member, I really struggled with this abatement. The Commission must review requests for tax abatements in TIF districts to make sure that the tax revenue which may be reduced by an abatement is not needed for an economic development plan (bond repayment, infrastruture, etc.) In this case the revenue was not needed to fulfill the Southtown area plan and therefore I voted affirmatively, basically to let City Council make their decision (since they are the elected body that is the appropriate action, IMHO.) I (along with other Commission members), directed staff to request that City Council clarify the seeming inconsistency in the 2 policies. Staff needs to know what the rules are so that they can work with businesses accordingly.<BR/><BR/>But to answer your question, I believe that there is a loophole here which should be closed. One of the ways to do this is to clarify that the minimum wage standard applies to all abatements, including retail/commercial. I think that helps support small retailers in our central business corridors while also providing some floor to the wages we expect before reducing the property taxes paid by companies for their new investment.<BR/><BR/>And I must take this opportunity to make sure that everyone understands (which I think readers of this blog do) that a tax abatement simply phases in the new taxes due for an investment in buildings or equipment. The owner continues to pay the taxes that were due before, but the taxes due to new assessed value are phased in over a period of several years (usually 5-10). And if you just buy a building without increasing the assessed value, you don't qualify for an abatement. So the taxes collected do not go down, they simply do not go up as fast as they would without an abatement.Karen Goldnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11930160147749582244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11887973.post-77561140613221432272007-10-25T16:22:00.000-04:002007-10-25T16:22:00.000-04:00As my old friend Tom Ostrognai, former IH Linework...As my old friend Tom Ostrognai, former IH Lineworker, and Landlord; was fond of saying:<BR/>there's a big difference between McDonalds and Mcdonnell Douglass.<BR/>Whiel we're on the topic of tax abatements- I wonder if the clowns downtown could cook me up a residential tax abatement, so I can spiff up the homestead; which I have been neglecting for 2 reasons- <BR/>1. my property taxes are already too high, supporting our regal government, and fuedal overlords. Why would I want to improve it so they can reiase my assessment?<BR/>2. why pay full price, if you can get an incentive from a local govt whos screwed things up royally, and is willing to give the farm over to anybody ANYBODY who might build something here in Fort Waste.<BR/>if I can get a tax abatement, and avoid paying until the economy, and the real estate market will raise my market value through market forces,rather than artificiall schemes cooked up by our elected offals;<BR/>then its money well spent.<BR/>but full price- in this slumping market; skyrocketing taxes, maybe cant get my return on investment, and keep the govt from spending my money before its earned.<BR/>well- how about a tax abatement for residential improvements/investments?<BR/><BR/>We have already lost 1 whole congressional district 's worth of hoosiers- gone forever, or 20 years at least; to brain drain, and freedom in other states.David C Roachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03001418779103813547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11887973.post-84368695066097187362007-10-25T12:05:00.000-04:002007-10-25T12:05:00.000-04:00Mike (et alli),Right now I am taking a simple Busi...Mike (et alli),<BR/><BR/>Right now I am taking a simple Business 101 course at Ivy Tech. While I have aced every test to date I am certainly no expert on business. I am trying to learn what I can and better understand the basic principles of business.<BR/><BR/>While you are an excellent accountant and very intelligent person I do believe you have overlooked some of the issues of owning a franchise.<BR/><BR/>#1) NAME Recognition. The McDonalds name alone will bring in money instantly. Not everyone knows Spelunkers Delight Restaurant but everyone knows McDonalds. Heck, I've eaten at McDonalds in countries all over Europe because I knew what to expect.<BR/><BR/>#2) Tested Performance. The purchaser of a franchise name has had the onerous burden of market studies and wondering whether or not their product will sell. They are almost guaranteed results the second their doors open to the public.<BR/><BR/>#3) Training Programs. The owner of a franchise receives training from the corporate office so that all employee's reflect favorably on the corporate image.<BR/><BR/>#4) Advertising. McDonalds spends millions of dollars each year to promote their product. This means that the owner of the franchise is able to focus their attention on other details while still receiving tremendous marketing.<BR/><BR/>#5) Infrastructure. The purchaser of a franchise doesn't have to worry about who to contact for supplies. There is a supply route and supply center already to go for them.<BR/><BR/>All of this leads to an investment by the owner of a franchise that is almost certain to flourish. After all, how many fast food stores do you see fail? It does happen but at nowhere near the standard rate of normal small businesses.<BR/><BR/>Our city government seems to feel that it is perfectly acceptable to give handouts to folks who are already receiving massive handouts (whether tangible or intangible).<BR/><BR/>Under a Libertarian administration such follies would cease. By lowering taxes all over the entire community and granting abatements to none this would encourage business growth.<BR/><BR/>Respectfully,<BR/><BR/>Doug Horner(L)<BR/>Candidate for City Council at LargeDoug H 3rd Dist Rep LPINhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17176858569875097868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11887973.post-79286591188141721752007-10-25T10:12:00.000-04:002007-10-25T10:12:00.000-04:00Economic Re-arrangement SYLVESTER!!!!Economic Re-arrangement SYLVESTER!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com