Commission hears Prometheus expansion figures and seeks more cost detail on county supports

County staff told commissioners April 23 that Prometheus is proposing a substantially higher real‑property and personal‑property investment than previously expected. Staff reviewed prior commitments for sewer‑standards work and a sanitary‑sewer study and reported the redevelopment commission has funded portions of those efforts to support the project.

Using the commission’s earlier incentive framework (an 80% rebate of increment for a defined period), staff summarized scenarios showing the amount returned to Prometheus and the amount retained by the commission would both increase materially if the facility investment rises. Staff said the previous expectation — roughly $53.5 million in increment returned to Prometheus over 25 years under past estimates — would change under the new figures and that updated calculations show a lower total rebate in one example (the transcript discussion characterized numbers shifting from about $53.5 million to a much smaller figure in a reworked schedule); commissioners asked for more detailed modeling and for specific cost estimates for required county supports.

Rick said county roadway commitments related to the project had been estimated around $2.5 million originally and might approach $3 million if costs rise; commissioners discussed potential use of EDIT funds and whether the county should require community‑impact payments or training commitments as part of any incentive package. Several commissioners said they preferred to see concrete project milestones (e.g., buildings completed and assessed value realized) before approving any extension of incentives.

Staff did not ask for a final decision at the meeting but said the issue will return for action after more detailed cost and tax‑increment modeling and after the commission receives clearer build‑out and timing information from Prometheus.