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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 16-30 Adopting an Economic Development Incentive Policy TOWN OF WESTLAKE RESOLUTION NO. 16-30 A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE, TEXAS, ADOPTING AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE POLICY. WHEREAS, the Town of Westlake, Texas, relies upon the generation of Sales and Use Taxes for basic city operations; and WHEREAS, the Town of Westlake aggressively pursues sales tax producing enterprises that meet the Town's high development standards; and WHEREAS, Chapter 312 of the Texas Tax Code requires that guidelines and criteria be adopted by the Town Council before entering into any Economic Development Agreement that provides reimbursement of taxes; and WHEREAS, Chapter 380 of the Texas Local Government Code allows the Town Council to create policies for economic development and any related grants or incentives. WHEREAS, the Town Council finds that the passage of this Resolution is in the best interest of the citizens of Westlake. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE, TEXAS: SECTION 1: That, all matters stated in the Recitals hereinabove are found to be true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety. SECTION 2: That the Town of Westlake Town Council does hereby approves the proposed policy, attached as Exhibit "A", Town of Westlake Economic Development Incentive Policy and directs the Town Manager to immediately submit an Economic Development Agreement to the Town Council consistent with the terms of this policy. SECTION 3: If any portion of this Resolution shall, for any reason, be declared invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof and the Council hereby determines that it would have adopted this Resolution without the invalid provision. Resolution 16-30 Page 1 of 5 SECTION 4: That this resolution shall become effective from and after its date of passage. PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 22" DAY OF AUGUST, 2016. ATTEST: ., 4rf. Laura L. Wheat, Mayor hd-y-\ 4; KellyEdwar&' Town Secretary Thomas E. Brymer,�'*�' anage g 04'•.‘‘'\ WFST APPROVED AS TO FORM: �� p � '-,` it , * 7&7 L. Sta on Lowry, own Attorney -. 7-EX P`' ,o Resolution 16-30 Page 2 of 5 Exhibit A Town of Westlake Economic Development Incentive Policy Section I. General Purpose and Objectives The Town of Westlake, Texas, ("Town") is committed to the promotion and retention of high quality development in all parts of the Town as part of an overall effort to improve the quality of life for its residents. Since these objectives can be served, in part, by the expansion of its commercial business, retail, and mixed use base, the Town will, on a case-by-case basis, give consideration to providing tax abatements, economic development grants, loans, and other incentives (collectively referred to as "Incentives") as may be allowed by law as stimulation for selected economic development within the community. It is the policy of the Town that consideration will be provided in accordance with the criteria set forth in this document. Nothing within this policy shall imply or suggest that the Town is under any obligation to provide Incentives to any applicant. All applicants ("Applicants") for any Incentives shall be considered on a case-by-case basis. Section IL Applicability This Economic Development Incentive Policy (the "Policy") establishes guidelines and criteria for Incentives as allowed for by the provisions of Chapter 312 of the Texas Tax Code, and other economic grants, loans, or incentives as authorized by Chapter 380 of the Texas Local Government Code, the Development Corporation Act, Article 5190.6, Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat., Article III, Section 52-a of the Texas Constitution, and other applicable laws. Any Incentive approved by the Town's Town Council ("Town Council") pursuant to the Policy must be memorialized in an agreement to be executed and approved by the Town and applicant (the "Incentive Agreement"). Section III. Tax Abatement Criteria A. Any application for tax abatement shall be reviewed and approved or disapproved by the Town Council and, if applicable, consider the recommendations of the Westlake Development Corporation and/or the Westlake 4A Corporation. In general, the application will be considered based upon the following: • The `value added' to the community by the Applicant's proposed project; • The likelihood of the development of the proposed project without abatements; • The comparison of the use of abatements versus the use of other potential incentives. B. Specific considerations for approving tax abatement applications will be based upon the degree to which the proposed project: Resolution 16-30 Page 3 of 5 • Furthers the goals and objectives of the Town as expressed in the Town's Comprehensive Plan, Planned Development District Ordinances, and infrastructure plans; • Impacts the Town's costs and ability to provide municipal services; • Impacts the local environment, housing market, and available infrastructure; • Offers potential for long term payback in tax and/or other revenues for the Town's investment; • Potentially stimulates other desirable economic development within the Town. C. Term of the Abatement — A tax abatement may be granted for a maximum of ten (10) years. The term of the abatement may be granted for a lesser number of years depending upon the anticipated `value added' to the Town. Section IV. Value of the Project The amount of the Incentive will be determined by the Town Council based upon the merits of the economic development project (the "Project"), including, but not limited to, the factors referenced in paragraph III. B. (above) and the following specific economic considerations: • total capital investment; • added employment; • generation of other tax revenues. Incentives may be granted only for the additional value of eligible property improvements described in the Project and listed in the executed tax abatement agreement. Target thresholds are established as expected qualifying levels for abatement consideration as indicated in paragraphs A and B as follows: A. For New Businesses or Development - The Project must be reasonably expected to produce an added value of five million dollars ($5,000,000) in real and personal property improvements within the Town of Westlake; or to create a minimum of 200 full-time jobs, or to generate annual sales tax revenues to the Town of at least $100,000. B. For Expansion or Modernization of Existing Businesses or Development — The Project must be reasonably expected to produce an added value of two million dollars ($2,000,000) in real and personal property improvements within the Town, or to create a minimum of 100 full time jobs, or to generate additional annual sales tax revenues to the Town of at least$50,000. Section V. Inspection, Verification and Incentive Modification The terms of an Incentive Agreement shall include the Town's right to: (a) require the submission of an annual certification of compliance for the property receiving an Incentive; (b) conduct an on-site inspection of the project in each'year during the life of the Incentive to verify compliance with the terms of the Agreement and the Policy; and(c) reduce or Resolution 1 6-3 0 Page 4 of 5 eliminate the Incentive if the applicant has failed to comply with the requirements of the Incentive Agreement. Section VI. Evaluation Upon completion of the Project, the Town shall no less than annually evaluate each Project receiving an abatement to insure compliance with the terms of the agreement. Any incidents of non-compliance will be reported to all affected taxing units. Section VII. Severability and Limitation In the event that any section, clause, sentence, paragraph or any part of this Policy shall, for any reason, be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of the guidelines and criteria in this Policy. Section VIII. Expiration and Modification This Policy is effective upon the date of its adoption and will remain in force for two years, at which time Incentive Agreements created pursuant to its provisions will be reviewed by the Town Council to determine whether the objectives of the Policy are being achieved. Based upon that review, this Policy may be modified, renewed or eliminated. However, any Incentive Contracts created pursuant to this Policy will remain in effect according to their respective terms without regard to any change to this Policy unless mutually agreed by the parties. Section IX. Economic Development Grants, Loans, and Other Incentives A. Any application for economic development grants, loans, and other incentives shall be reviewed and approved or disapproved by the Town Council. In the review process, the Town Council will, if applicable, consider the recommendations of the Westlake Development Corporation and/or the Westlake Type 4A Corporation. Any such economic development grants, loans, and other incentives may come from any one or combination of the following: • Grants or loans as authorized by Chapter 380 of the Texas Local Government Code; • The general Sales and Use taxes of the Town; • Sales and Use taxes collected pursuant to section Type 4A of Article 5190.6, Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat.; and/or • Any other lawful source of revenue of the Town including, but not limited to, bond or other debt financing which further the purpose of economic development. B. To be eligible to apply and qualify for consideration of any grants, loans, and other incentives under this Section, the applicant must submit documentation, and enter into an Incentive Agreement, which indicates the specific details of the Project and compliance with the Policy. Resolution 16-30 Page 5 of 5