Per the terms of the resolution — which passed unanimously — the commission will rebate half the sales taxes generated over a five-year period to Second Street Plaza, LLC, which has plans to take over the building and locate three new businesses there. The building has been vacant since Food World announced it was closing in May 2009.
“Once the initial tenant moves in and opens, that’s when the agreement begins,” attorney Bill Weathington said. “If no taxes are generated, neither the city nor the county will be obligated to anything.”
Per the terms of the agreement, the amount rebated to Second Street by city and county cannot exceed $500,000 over a five-year period, or $100,000 in any single year. The county’s portion of that is no more than $22,200 per year, or $111,000 total.
The Pell City Council approved a similar agreement at its regular meeting Monday.
Commission Chairman Stan Batemon noted also that the educational taxes will be paid in full.
“There is no business in that shopping center right now,” Batemon said. “The proposed improvements would increase ad valorem taxes being paid there, which would not be affected by this.”
Weathington said the expected gross annual sales are approximately $4.5 million, and the additional business will mean 30-40 new jobs for the area.
Batemon said at the meeting that it is not yet known what type of businesses will locate in the facility, which has almost 40,000 square feet of retail space.
“These municipalities request that we partner with them,” Batemon said. “We trust that the cities will protect their own interests. Whatever the project is, we’re good with it if the city is good with it.”
In other business, the commission:
• Approved posting vacancies for three newly created occasional court security officer positions.
• Appointed Commissioner Jimmy Roberts to the St. Clair County Day Program Board of Directors.
• Approved a resolution proclaiming April Confederate Heritage and History Month in St. Clair County.
• Approved an agreement with Stocks Broadcasting, Inc., regarding use of a generator purchased through the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program.
• Approved hiring Carrie Denton as a part-time bus driver to replace Sherrie Sherrer, effective April 15, per the recommendation of Transportation Director Terry Rowe.
• Approved dissolution of the petty cash fund currently under the responsibility of Probate Judge Mike Bowling, per his recommendation. Currently, according to County Administrator Kellie Long, the fund consists of $200 in the Ashville office and $450 in Pell City, all of which will be returned to the county’s general fund.
• Approved the request of the town of Ragland for surplus I-beams, for use on a pedestrian bridge.
• Approved the minutes of the March 27 regular meeting.
• Approved payment of monthly bills in the amount of $470,363.
Contact Will Heath at wheath@thestclairtimes.com.
