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RWE seeks 10-year, 75% tax abatement for Phase II; Blackford County Council tables request
Summary
RWE representatives requested a 10-year, 75% abatement on real and personal property for Phase II; public commenters questioned the legality and fiscal impact of abatements and the council tabled RWE’s request for a later date.
Representatives of RWE, Wil Kolbuk and Rachel Conner, asked the Blackford County Council on Feb. 4 for a 10-year, 75% tax abatement on personal and real property for a Phase II project, matching the terms of Phase I.
During the public-comment portion of the meeting several residents raised objections and questions. Eddie Cansler said using public monies such as tax abatements for economic development is "an act being performed without constitutional authority," and warned that abatements reduce revenue available to schools, the fire department and other services. Deb Grider asked why land that received an ERA grant years earlier had been described as undesirable or impractical for development. Dennis Layman said an abatement "feels like an award" and urged companies to prove themselves to the community.
Following the presentation and public comments, the council tabled RWE’s abatement request; the minutes do not show a formal vote on the abatement or record conditions or a timeline for the tabling. No statutory citation or written finding of fiscal impact is recorded in the minutes.
