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Council denies West Fraser request for special assistance; members cite uncertainty about taxable personal property and need for details
Summary
Council denied a request from the West Fraser representative for financial assistance or special treatment, after discussing the company's tangible personal property assessment and potential tax effects; council members said they would consider jobs/offers if and when a formal proposal with details arrived.
The City of Perry City Council on Jan. 28 voted to deny a request from West Fraser (a company discussed under agenda item 6(f)) for special assistance or incentives. The council’s denial was based on uncertainty about what property and taxable assessments would remain with the buyer and on the lack of a concrete business proposal showing the need for city assistance.
Council members discussed the distinction between real property (land and buildings) and tangible personal property (equipment, machinery). Staff and council noted that many items that had been taxable as tangible personal property may be removed by the buyer and sold as scrap or relocated, which could reduce the buyer’s eventual property-tax burden. Council members repeatedly emphasized they lacked full information about what would remain as taxable property and how future assessments would change.
One council member urged caution about providing incentives: "If it’s lucrative enough for him to invest in it, why does he need our help?" another said. Other council members said they were open to discussing workforce or job-creation proposals if a detailed, verifiable plan arrived. One motion recorded in the transcript—"We deny his request"—was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote.
The council’s denial does not foreclose future discussions; a council member said: if a prospective buyer presents a specific plan that would create jobs, the council can revisit incentives or assistance at that time.
Ending: Council members instructed staff to treat any future requests from West Fraser or other potential buyers on a case-by-case basis and to bring detailed proposals back to the council for consideration.
