Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Big Rapids amends tax abatement policy to remove obsolete MCDC reference and streamline review team
Loading...
Summary
Commissioners approved amendments to the city's tax abatement policy to remove references to a defunct MCDC entity and to clarify the membership of the abatement review team, with staff to make minor edits (including a form) and return final language if needed.
The City of Big Rapids commission approved amendments to its tax abatement policy that remove references to the now-defunct Macross County Development Corporation (MCDC) and simplify how the abatement review team is composed.
A commissioner explained staff reviewed the existing policy after a local industry inquired about a potential abatement and found the policy referenced MCDC. "It refers to MCDC in there. MCDC doesn't exist," he said, adding that staff proposed striking or simplifying language and replacing the MCDC seat with a more generic economic- or community-development representative so the commission can choose a suitable participant when an application arises.
Commissioners discussed attaching an annual reporting form to the policy and requested language clarifying who approves abatements; staff confirmed the commission approves them. A motion to amend the staff recommendation to include Commissioner Simmons' suggested edits passed, and the amended policy passed on roll-call vote.
The commission directed staff to incorporate the minor edits and return any revised final wording as needed. There were no immediate abatements proposed at the meeting; the action updates the policy process for any future applications.
