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Abilene council approves incentives for confidential 'Project Surf,' residents criticize secrecy
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Summary
The Abilene City Council approved a package of infrastructure and economic incentives for a confidential company called Project Surf, including a Chapter 380 agreement and TERS/DCOA incentives; council said contracts remain under NDA while some residents said secrecy has harmed transparency.
The Abilene City Council on a unanimous vote approved a set of economic-development incentives for a confidential project identified in the agenda as “Project Surf,” even as members of the public urged more transparency about the company and terms.
City Manager Emily Crawford told the council the incentive package includes an infrastructure incentive from the Dyess County Office of Advancement (DCOA), a TERS incentive and a Chapter 380 master economic-development agreement that together require council approval. “We are not able to disclose the details of this project just yet, we are still under an NDA with the company, and until our contracts are fully executed, we have to continue to keep this confidential,” Crawford said. “However, we will be making that announcement as soon as possible.”
The city’s staff described the DCOA incentive as an infrastructure incentive that the city will provide and then, upon completion of the project, transfer directly to the company. Crawford also said the Chapter 380 agreement is the master agreement for the Project Surf incentives and that staff estimate the project “create[s] approximately 75 new full time jobs” and would generate additional property and sales tax revenues for the city.
During public comment, resident Tammy Fogle criticized the lack of available information and questioned how citizens are supposed to respond to or understand incentives that were discussed in closed session. “A public comment makes no sense … this is the epitome of what is wrong with being transparent,” Fogle said. Several other residents at the meeting said they could not find past meeting materials or minutes that would clarify earlier deliberations about the project.
Council members moved and voted on three related items. For the DCOA infrastructure incentive (Item 26) the motion was made by Councilman Craver and seconded by Councilman Deard; for the TERS incentive (Item 27) the motion was made by Councilman Yates and seconded by Councilman Reagan; for the Chapter 380 master agreement (Item 28) the motion was made by Councilman Beard and seconded by Councilman Espinosa. On all three motions the mayor called for the vote and council recorded “all yeses; motion carries.” The city manager said an announcement about the project is expected in early December after contracts are finalized.
The council’s approvals authorize staff to complete the contractual steps described in each agenda item; the precise incentive amounts and performance terms were not disclosed at the meeting because staff said they remain subject to nondisclosure agreements. Council minutes and subsequent staff reports are expected to provide additional factual details after execution of the agreements.
