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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 15-011 . f Resolution 15-011 A Resolution Hereby Adopting a Policy Governing the Use of Sales Tax Revenue to be Granted as an Economic Development Incentive Program Whereas, the City of Brookings recognizes that publicly-funded investments by local communities represent an effort to retain current economic activity and attract economic growth are necessary to remain competitive; and Whereas, the City further recognizes that grants to qualifying applicants of sales tax revenue generated from said qualifying applicant is a reasonable and prudent means of accomplishing desired economic growth; and Whereas, the City believes the following policy objectives are necessary to govern the policy process for the use of sales tax grants: (1) To facilitate significant and comprehensive investment in new and/or expanding facilities that will grow the tax base and provide a strong commitment to the community. (2) To increase overall community wealth. (3) To encourage diversification of the area economic base and add value to the area economic clusters and employment base. (4) To generate additional sales tax revenue to support budgetary expenditures of the City. (5) To provide long-term community benefits in return for the City's investment. (6) To insure the recipient project constitutes responsible development and further complies with all other applicable development principles and regulations. Whereas, the City desires to develop and adopt the means and methods by which sales tax grants shall be utilized. Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the City Council of the City of Brookings, the following Policy be adopted to wit: A) The City Council may approve a grant to qualifying applicants in any amount deemed necessary not to exceed finro percent of local sales tax generated from construction costs, equipment purchases, or iocal retail sales. B) Qualifying businesses shall be: (i) New or expanding businesses that are retail in nature and can meet the criteria required under Item (H); or that are otherwise addressed under the City's Retail Acceleration Program. (ii) New or expanding businesses that are commercial/industrial or technology-based in nature and can meet the criteria required under Item (H). � t C) Grants shall be reviewed and awarded in a fair, consistent, and responsible manner utilizing the resources and process established by the Brookings Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) and the City Council for an objective evaluation of the application. D) Grant awards shall be provided only to the extent demonstrated necessary for the success of the project, and a completed Return on Investment (ROI) analysis yielding results to the satisfaction of the City Council. E) The City Council shall have final approval on all grant applications recommended for approval after having been through the BEDC evaluation and review process. F) As a means of protection and accountability of the public investment, (i) Grant awards shall be reimbursed to the applicant following payment of said sales tax to the State of South Dakota and remitted to the City. (ii) Claims against the grant award must be accompanied by appropriate documentation prescribed by the City as verification of the grant payment. (iii) Grant awards must have suitable financial guarantees as a means of security (`claw-backs') and any other such terms deemed essential by the City Council. (iv) The recipient shall be entitled only to grant amounts that it generates and documented by the Department of Revenue as being paid in Brookings. (v) Grant awards shall be limited to either an aggregate amount, a specified time period, or both. G) Applications for sales tax grant assistance shall be made to BEDC on application forms prepared by BEDC. Applicants may be required to cover direct costs of professional services deemed necessary by BEDC and/or the City associated with the review of the application. H) The foltowing criteria shall be used by the BEDC and City Council to consider awards for qualifying applicants: (i) Retail businesses that mitigate sales `leakage' to other markets and retain significant sales in Brookings. (ii) Retail businesses that provide niche product markets not otherwise available and represent significant sales in Brookings. (iii) Commercial, industrial, and technology-related businesses that meet a minimum of one of the following in significant amounts as determined by the City Council: diversify the economic base and occupational mix; provide full-time, upper-income level jobs with employee benefits; have high probability of recruiting employees from other markets; are a necessity for significant and substantial job retention; meet qualifying industry targets; have high probability of complementing existing or recruiting other businesses or entities; represent significant capital investment; retain SDSU graduates; facilitates emerging markets; and does not place an undue burden or hardship on natural resources or services necessary to serve the business. � I) Applications shall be deemed approved following adoption of a development agreement between the City and the applicant prescribing all applicable terms and conditions of the grant award. The development agreement shall be prepared by staff of the BEDC, City, and legal counsel. Approved this 24th day of February, 2015B by the City Council of the City of Brookings, South Dakota. CITY OF BROOKINGS � Tim Reed, Mayor -<,,�:� ��: ��.:n r �: � �. D a �A ;i O; W G�! `.�h � � ' ornes, Attest