Jasper Council: Council gives Jasper Chair a Mulligan on tax abatement

The Jasper Common Council passed a resolution Wednesday night to waive a rescission of the tax abatement schedule that was passed in July of 2013 for the Jasper Chair company, based on $1.2 million in expansion plans.

Jasper Chair CEO Jeff Barth appeared before the council and apologized for missing the deadline of August 11, 2014 to file the real property tax abatement form CF-1.

A motion passed the council that found Jasper Chair is in compliance (after filing the form late). A public hearing was held immediately afterwards to take input on the issue. No one came forward to speak, so the hearing was closed. Then, a motion was passed that waived the non-compliance for late-filed documents.

Barth was also reminded that the next time forms filings will need to be done is in May. He assured the council that they would not miss another filing date again.

Also in the meeting last night, the council:

–Held a public hearing and passed Ordinance 2015-8 to vacate sewer easements at 750 Second Street. The Ordinance passed.

–Heard an update from Dubois Strong President, Ed Cole, who reported to the council on the organization’s efforts to attract housing to the area for workers to fill jobs at local companies.

–Passed Resolution 2015-2 that supports changes to Senate Bill 309, which restricts the rights of municipalities to gain electric customers when annexing land. According to Mayor Terry Seitz, the prospect for an amendment to allow residents to petition the IURC to choose their electric utility provider is not close to being added to the bill.

–Passed ordinance 2015-9 that amends the truck load limit/street restriction schedule.

–Passed Ordinance 2015-7 which appropriates $40,000 for the 2015 budget into the Local Police Continuing Education Fund for the purchase of a new police vehicle and a 4 wheeler vehicle that has been on loan and in use since last year, and is being added to the force due to the flexibility that it provides the police department in patrolling areas like the Riverwalk.

–Heard an update from Utility General Manager Bud Hauersperger of items from Monday night’s USB meeting (story here).

–Added a special meeting on April 2nd at 8:00 a.m. for the discussion of an interlocal agreement that will allow the city to facilitate the necessary financial arrangement to get the Hoosier Desk building examined to determine its possible use for the Jasper Library, Arts Center and other organizations. The Jasper Board of Public Works had approved paying the remaining $28,000 of a combined engineering study and concept design but due to lack of funds approved in the 2015 budget for these projects, all such requests must go through the council for approval.