Board approves foreign-trade-zone exemption and pilot agreement with Applied Materials

The Birdville ISD board approved a foreign-trade-zone (FTZ) exemption and associated pilot agreement with Applied Materials at the Sept. 25 meeting. The motion authorized the superintendent to finalize and execute the specific agreement terms and to sign a non-objection letter needed for the FTZ.

"I move the board approve the foreign trade zone exemption with Applied Materials and related pilot agreement terms and the authorize the superintendent to finalize and execute the details of the agreement and the non-objection letter needed for the FTZ as presented," a trustee moved. The motion was seconded and passed by unanimous voice/raised-hand vote.

Trustees clarified that the agreement was negotiated so the district would not lose tax revenue. One trustee said the district was "not losing a dime in taxes because of negotiating skills of Miss Bowman" and that the district would actually gain some income under the arrangement.

Nesia Warner, the consultant from Allied/Applied, was present at the meeting in case trustees had questions. The board recorded the motion and the unanimous vote; no dissent or abstentions were recorded.