A workshop Monday night on possible changes to the tax abatement policy in Orange County filled the Commissioners Courtroom. Mayors, city officials, port district commissioners, school superintendents, and business leaders from across the county attended the one hour meeting.
Those in attendance were for all intent unanimous in their opinion that restrictions on the tax abatement policy would hurt growth in Orange County not help it. The first half of the workshop was a discussion over restrictions to the policy by the members of Commissioners Court.
All three County Commissioners attending the workshop were in favor of allowing Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Executive Director Jessica Hill a free hand in making tax incentive offers to businesses interested in moving to the county. County Judge Dean Crooks was the lone voice on the Court recommending some restrictions on the county’s tax abatement policy.
When the meeting was open for comments from those in attendance four mayors spoke in favor of not impeding the director of the EDC. Mayor of Orange Larry Spears believes there is more cooperation across the county than in previous years. Spears said, “If we’re not bringing these people in I don’t want to hurt that by saying let’s add more restrictions. Let’s just be positive, let’s keep it open, and then let’s maybe wait and see if it changes and then the next time that its up for review we can look at it then.”
Spears was followed at the lectern by Robert Viator the Mayor of Vidor and the County Commissioner elect for Precinct Four. Viator said the county wants to welcome businesses to come to Orange County. He reminded that other counties are in competition with Orange County to attract businesses and industries to their area. “Let’s don’t tie our EDC’s hands, let’s let the Court whose elected to decide what’s best for the county in that direction settle it, and let’s advertise we’re open for business,” Viator expressed.
The Commissioners Court met Tuesday afternoon and voted on renewing the Tax Abatement Policy for Orange County.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT
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