Tax abatement issue delayed

Although the Highlands County Commission has not yet agreed to put the tax abatement issue on the ballot for voters to consider, Dan Murphy, the county's economic development executive director, is planning ahead in case the commissioners do give the go-ahead.

During the Highlands County Economic Development Commission board of directors meeting Wednesday at South Florida Community College, Murphy said a committee has been meeting on tax abatement. He said Casey Wohl, a public relations professional in Sebring, has been attending the meetings of the committee.

Wohl, of Gray Dog Communications, talked at the EDC meeting about putting together a marketing plan to educate the public on the issue. The cost will be $7,800.

The EDC board agreed to have Murphy seek financial support from the community for the campaign subject to the county commission's approval of placing the issue on the ballot for the August primary. Voters would be asked should the county commission be allowed to grant - on a case-by-case basis - property tax exemptions to new companies.

Murphy said the item might not be on the county commission agenda until March 23. If not then, it will be scheduled for a meeting in early April. He explained that he has been trying - without much success - to get information from other counties who have permitted tax abatement.

Murphy said there is "no rush" to present it to the county commission. He noted he wants be sure he will be able to answer any question from the commissioners as well as the public.

"It is critical to the economic development future of the county," Murphy said.

Commissioner Don Bates, who serves as the commission's liaison to the EDC board, told Murphy and the directors that they will only get one shot at it and to "put your best foot forward."

In anticipating there will be opposition to tax abatement, Bates added: "Be prepared to slug it out."

In other action, the board agreed to spend $3,200 to market its virtual business incubator - GrowHiglands.com Murphy hopes to have DeSoto and Hardee counties as well as Florida's Heartland Rural Economic Development Initiative share in the cost.

This site is designed for entrepreneurs from the Highlands County area. It provides a central focal point for accessing local mentors and a variety of other business support services.

The board approved a letter of support for the Blue Head Ranch sustainable community. The letter said in part, "We believe this exemplary new town planning commitment will strengthen management of long-term growth for Highlands County and the state of Florida."

The pedestrian-oriented community is located in the southwest corner of Highlands County.

Susie Bishop, Blue Head's business development manager, and Allison Megrath of Land Planning Solutions in Naples, made a presentation on the project that is still in the permitting process.

Blue Head had originally planned to develop 54,000 housing units, but plans have been scaled back to 12,000 units.

Megrath said it will probably be at least 10 years before construction begins.