Shelby County ad hoc panel trims proposed pilot moratorium to four months, sets data and timeline conditions

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners Pilot Ad Hoc Committee voted to shorten a proposed 180‑day (six‑month) moratorium on new pilot projects to a four‑month moratorium and directed staff to produce a clear timeline and document checklist that agencies must meet for any extension.

The committee said the shorter moratorium is a compromise intended to allow the ad hoc team time to complete an economic and compliance review of existing pilots — including tax‑abatement packages — while giving affected boards an opportunity to respond and submit information.

Committee members emphasized the vote was conditional. Jay Bailey, who leads the assessor’s team assigned to the review, told the committee staff needs access to project records and consistent cooperation from the various industrial development boards and housing authorities to complete the analysis in the reduced time. "If 1 project, is abating a million dollars a year for 15 years, based on promises of certain tenant benefits, are we seeing $15,000,000 worth of tenant benefits? Or or…