Split decisions from Taylor leaders went favorably for agreements and ordinance progression related to the local Samsung Austin Semiconductor plant in construction.
On July 14, the City Council voted 3-2 on an ordinance to designate Reinvestment Zone No. 9, with council members Mitch Drummond and Dwayne Ariola voting opposed and council members Brandt Rydell, Robert Garcia and Gerald Anderson voting in favor. The council then 4-1, with Ariola opposed, to:
• authorize the mayor to execute two new agreements. One agreement is a Chapter 380 agreement to allow for incentive payments from use tax generated by Samsung on their properties. The other agreement is a project donation agreement with Samsung to donate and escrow all costs associated with the installation of water and sewer utilities to their site. Amendments to existing chapter 212 and 311 agreements as well as a development review reimbursement agreement were approved;
• authorize an economic development performance agreement between the Taylor Economic Development Corporation and Samsung Austin Semiconductor, LLC; and
• adopt an ordinance to amend and expand the boundaries of Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. Two.
The items included a public hearing, specifically in regards to expanding the boundaries of Reinvestment Zone No. Two, that saw no public input. However, during the citizen communications portion of the meeting, Jackie Krueger spent part of her time to discuss Samsung and for people who did not believe it does any good to go and speak at a council meeting.
The Samsung ship has sailed, but you need to work with the citizens and listen to what they’re saying. Hear them what they’re asking,” said Krueger. “I’m asking the council to listen to the constituents and not the forces that push you to vote one way or another or just to appease somebody else.”
The meeting including an executive session of approximately one hour on the item regarding the Chapter 380 and related agreements and amendments. A brief special called meeting immediately followed the regular meeting on Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. Two.
To view the full meeting and discussion, visit http://taylortx.swagit.com/play/07152022- 587.
UPDATE: An expanded version of this story can be found here. Details from the expanded recap will in the July 20 e-Edition of the Taylor Press.
