The Winston County Board of Supervisors approved Monday, June 3 a fee in lieu of tax agreement with Winston Plywood and Veneer.
Wilson Montjoy of Butler and Snow, representing Winston Plywood and Veneer presented the agreement to the board after board attorney Hugh Hathorn and county tax assessor and collector Darlene Bane reviewed the agreement.
Board attorney Hathorn requested changes to the economic obsolescence clause in the agreement which Montjoy changed. Hathorn had the clause changed to ensure the county’s review of such matters could be better obligated.
Winston Plywood and Veneer qualified for the Fee-in-Lieu after the state passed a law reducing the investment to $60 million of total investment from $100 million of private equity investment. According to Montjoy, the Fee-in-Lieu allows counties and cities to offer a more generous tax incentive as needed to compete, abating up to two-thirds of annual property taxes for 10 years. Recognizing that the remaining new tax revenue from a project that large would still provide a significant local revenue increase, the fee-in-lieu allows counties, cities) and schools to share proportionately in the in lieu of taxes. He added that with the agreement of a 30 year fee in lieu of that it encourages the industry to expand and add equipment since any items may only have a 10 year exemption.
Montjoy added that Winston Plywood and Veneer had now over 400 employees and over $104 million invested in the county.
The Fee-in-Lieu still has to be approved by the City of Louisville and Mississippi Development Authority. The agreement should be completed by July 1 to help ensure the county tax rolls are filed with correct figures.
Eyeing
collections
The Winston County Board of Supervisors also discussed with Chancery Clerk Julie Cunningham, Tax Collector Bane and attorney Hathorn using the measures under House Bill 991 to collect funds owed the county through state tax refunds.
House Bill 991 allows local governments to collect any debt or fine that’s at least $50. Different debts could also be combined to satisfy the debt threshold of $50.
The bill passed the House 86-28 in February and it cleared the Senate by a 30-14 margin in March and signed by Gov. Phil Bryant.
The legislation was pushed by the Mississippi Municipal League, which said on its Facebook page that it would help reconcile thousands of unpaid municipal court fines in cities and towns throughout the state.
Under the bill, cities and counties contact the Mississippi Department of Revenue and submit the debt owed it for collection. The local government, or a member organization on its behalf, would send written notice of the intent to the debtor to garnish part or all of their refund.
In addition to the debt, a 25 percent collection assistance fee would also be assessed.
The debtor would have 30 days to contest the garnishment and receive a hearing in front of the government. Appeals of these decisions would be made to the county circuit court.
HB 991 doesn’t explicitly mention county-owned rural hospitals, of which there are 19 in the state, but doesn’t exclude debts paid to them either.
Already, the DOR can garnish state income tax refunds to recover:
• Unpaid child support.
• Federal taxes or fees owed.
• Unpaid student loans (state government loans only).
• Community college unpaid fees or other debts.
Board attorney Hathorn was tasked with reviewing the new law and working with the county officials to implement collections where they could.
Planning absentee balloting
Winston County Circuit Clerk Kim Ming requested plans to pay overtime for weekends that the absentee balloting will be held at the courthouse. The board approved.
Absentee voting for the primary election begins in the Circuit Clerk's office on Monday, June 24, 2019. The Circuit Clerk’s office will be open Saturday’s starting July 6 from 8 a.m. to noon and will be open each Saturday through August 6 for in person absentee voting and registering to vote. Voter registration to vote in the August primary is open until July 8.
In upcoming editions of Winston County Journal from the board of supervisors discussions:
• New machines/ paper ballots will be used
• Funds for Russell Road Bridge , Weir Highpoint Bridge and other roadways work
• Annex Building work
