Ohio County Fiscal Court members directed county staff to prepare a resolution that would abate occupational and payroll-related taxes for Sportsville Pellet LLC for five years, the court said.

Jason Chen, OC director, presented the company’s request and said the incentive is similar to abatements the county has granted in the past. Chen described the draft as an abatement of "payroll taxes and net profits for a period of 5 years." He also said the company hopes the abatement could be effective July 1 and that the resolution might need to be retroactive if the court approves it at the next meeting.

Court members discussed likely employment levels. Chen said the company expected to hire about 15 people initially and could grow to "up to 25 or 30 in the short term," depending on sales and production. Court members asked county staff (Justin) to draft a resolution and bring it to a future meeting for formal adoption. A motion to author staff to prepare the resolution was seconded and carried after voice vote.

The court’s action authorized preparation of a draft resolution; the abatement itself would require a later vote by the court to adopt any tax relief and to determine its effective date and scope.