Council denies TS Tech abatement after committee cites late, illegible filing

The Henry County Council voted unanimously to deny a tax-abatement filing from TS Tech after the tax-abatement committee reported the submission was incomplete, illegible and not timely delivered to the county.

The committee chair explained the filing was difficult to read and not received by the county's office by the May 15 deadline, and the committee therefore recommended denial of the abatement for this year. "The committee would like to unanimously recommend that we deny this report based on its incompleteness and its lack of being to us by May 15," a committee member said.

A representative for TS Tech disagreed with the county's timeline and said an outside firm handling the company's property tax information submitted and certified the filing on the 12th and mailed it the same day. County staff replied they received materials on the 20th or 21st and that the submitted document was illegible in the county's file.

Council members noted that denying the filing is a procedural step that allows the company to file an appeal and submit clarified documentation for review and a public hearing. Following discussion, a motion to deny the abatement was made and seconded; the chair called for the vote and said the motion carried unanimously.

The council asked that corrected and updated documentation be submitted promptly so the county can advertise and schedule a public hearing. Staff said it would be ideal to receive materials within about a week so the county can publish the required hearing notice and place the item on next month's agenda.