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County Council adopts resolution to begin tax-abatement process for Fischer Farms Natural Foods
Summary
The Dubois County Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2024-13 on July 29 to designate part of Jackson Township as an Economic Revitalization Area, initiating a public hearing process for tax abatements requested by Fischer Farms Natural Foods, LLC. The Abatement Review Committee scored the project high enough to recommend multi-year abatement schedules.
The Dubois County Council on July 29 unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2024-13 to designate a portion of Jackson Township as an Economic Revitalization Area, starting the formal tax-abatement process for Fischer Farms Natural Foods, LLC.
Deputy Auditor Lynn Gosman presented the declaratory resolution and the County Abatement Review Committeereports recommending abatement schedules. Alex P. Hohl moved to adopt the resolution and Doug Uebelhor seconded; the motion carried unanimously. The resolution instructs the county to publish notice and hold a public hearing before taking final action in accordance with IC 6-1.1-12.1.
Gosman also summarized the committee scoring attached as Exhibits B and C: personal-property scoring listed $2,600,000 in new investment, projected 10 full-time and 3 part-time jobs and a total score of 85 points, producing a recommended five-year personal-property abatement schedule (100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, 20%). Real-property scoring showed $1,700,000 in new investment and a total of 93 points, producing a recommended nine-year real-property abatement schedule (100% through 20% in year nine).
Applicants Diana Fischer and Health Weyer requested abatements to support construction of a new facility and equipment in Jackson Township. The committeerecommendation and resolution do not finalize abatements; they designate the area and set the process for a hearing and final council action. A Tax Abatement Public Hearing was scheduled for Aug. 26, 2024 at 4:30 p.m., with a special meeting at 4:45 p.m., when the council will hear objections and consider evidence before confirming, modifying or rescinding the designation.
Why it matters: the proposed project shows multi-million-dollar capital investment and job creation claims that, if approved after the hearing, would reduce property tax obligations for the company under the schedules presented. The councilaction on July 29 was procedural: it advances the statutory process required by state law rather than granting the abatement itself.
Next steps: the council will publish required notices and hold the Aug. 26 public hearing before any final abatement decision.
