11/23/2008 11:15:00 AM County says 'no' to
ice arena abatement
By Ken Francis Contributing Writer
The Becker/Big Lake Ice Association will not be getting a tax abatement from Sherburne County.
Tuesday, a scheduled public hearing before the county board was cancelled because the county has determined the proposed ice arena project does not meet the criteria necessary to receive an abatement.
The 9:15 hearing was acknowledged by Board Chair Arne Engstrom. But the hearing never took place.
Administrator Brian Bensen said the hearing had already been posted before the issue went before the Sherburne County Economic Development Alliance (SCEDA) two weeks ago.
SCEDA is an advisory committee to the county board on economic development issues, such as business development, resources for business, workforce, and tourism. They can recommend tax abatements for businesses.
"SCEDA found, based on the county attorney's opinion, that we didn't have authority under the statute to do it for a non-profit under this circumstance," said Bensen, "And based on the lack of job creation and few other items that are required under our policy, it didn't qualify,"
Bensen said the county has a score sheet it uses to rank whether a proposed project meets the county's criteria.
"If it doesn't rise up to a certain number of points, it doesn't even get to the county board," said Bensen.
The goal of an abatement is to help a business that would create jobs and and increase the tax base. As a non-profit organization, the association did not fit with other business-oriented applicants, said Bensen.
"As a non-profit we may be able to help them in some other way," said Bensen. "But it's not a business subsidy."
Bensen said representatives from the ice association attended the SCEDA meeting and are aware of the decision.
