Commissioners review current and expiring abatements

Rick Stillion, The Daily Jeffersonian
·3 min read
Guernsey County Administration Building
Guernsey County Administration Building

Guernsey County Commissioners attended the Tax Inventive Review Council meeting last week to review Enterprise Zone and Community Reinvestment Area tax abatements in the county.

Enterprise Zone and CRA abatements for Detroit Diesel will end on Dec. 31.

Other CRA abatements ending for tax year 2022 include Berkshire Development (FedEx) on Commerce Drive; Cadiz Commercial Holdings (BSI) on Cadiz Road; Fastenal Company (Silvestri RG Enterprises) on Southgate Parkway; Parkway Plaza 1 (Taco Bell) on Southgate Parkway; R&S Enterprises (Ricks Place Auto Sales) on Southgate Road; and Ridge Tool Company on Brick Church Road.

A 100%, 15-year Enterprise Zone/CRA abatement for the Guernsey Power Plant in Valley Township begins this year and continues through 2039.

Companies can qualify for an Enterprise Zone or CRA agreement to abate, eliminate or redirect taxes for their investments. The agreements are typically issued for 12 or 15 years.

Enterprise Zone and CRA agreements are a means to attract new business and industry while also being used to retain existing businesses.

Remaining abatements in Guernsey County with expirations dates include AFC Cable System, Leyshon Drive, 2028; Metallurg Vanadium Corporation, Southgate Road (2023, 2025, 2027 and 2032); Pine Hill Crossing Inc. (Fairfield Inn), Dozer Road, 2031; DK Eubanks/Plastic Compounders, Utica Way, 2030; Sisters Farahay LLC (Farahay Dental), Wheeling Avenue, 2032; and Cambridge Renaissance LLC (AAA9 building), Wheeling Avenue.

Commissioners also met with several city and county officials regarding a proposed contract for funding to allow the Cambridge Municipal Court to move forward with a renovation project exceeding $1 million. No action was taken following the meeting.

They also met with Guernsey County Department of Job and Family Services Executive Director Kathy Jamiel in executive session regarding compensation for staff at the agency. Commissioner Dave Wilson said the county is expected to sign a resolution revising the salary scheduled at DJFS on March 29.

Items approved by commissioners included:

  • Authorize Robert T. Secrest VFW Post 2901 to use the Guernsey County Courthouse for the Memorial Day Parade

  • A mortgage satisfaction

  • Issue $45,000 to the Cambridge Municipal Court for the court's electronic monitoring program during the first-half of the year from Jan. 1 through June 29. The funds will be paid from the General Fund's Contract Services for electronically-monitored house arrest.

  • Approved a contract with Fowler Lawn Service of Cambridge for mowing and trimming services at four county-owned properties in Cambridge and Byesville. Fowler will charge the county $35 apiece for two properties on Linden Avenue in the city and Washington Street in Byesville, and $25 apiece for sites on Wheeling Avenue in Cambridge and Washington Street in Byesville for a total of $120. The rates will be paid for weekly services or as needed in the event weekly mowing and trimming are not necessary.

Guernsey County commissioners meet each Tuesday and Thursday at the County Administration Building, 627 Wheeling Ave. in Cambridge. Call the office, 740-432-9200, for more information or to be placed on the meeting schedule.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Commissioners review current and expiring abatements