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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 06 13 Regular 600 Business Tax Receipt UCF Incubator Business Program COMMISSION AGENDA Consent Informational ITEM 600 Public Hearing Regular X June 13, 2011 Meeting Mgr. / Dept Authorization REQUEST: The City Manager and the Community Development Department request that the City Commission consider and provide direction to staff with respect to establishing an economic development grant program to assist City businesses enrolled in the UCF Incubation Business Program with payment of business tax receipt fees. SYNOPSIS: The City Commission has expressed interest in providing economic development opportunities for businesses enrolled in the UCF Incubation Business Program (“Incubation Program”). As such, staff is requesting direction from the City Commission with respect to a proposed economic grant development program for eligible City Incubation Program businesses to assist with payment of City and County business tax receipt fees. CONSIDERATIONS: 1.There are currently sixteen (16) City of Winter Springs businesses enrolled in the Incubation Program. The annual City fee for each commercial Business Tax Receipt is $100.00. The annual Seminole County fee for each Business Tax Receipt is $25.00 for a non-regulated business and $45.00 for a regulated business. 2.Staff is proposing that the City Commission establish an economic development grant fund to assist businesses enrolled in the Incubation Program with payment of City business tax receipts. 3.Under staff’s proposal, the City Commission could elect to allocate money to the economic development grant fund as it deems appropriate, but would not be obligated to allocate money to the fund at any time. Applicants would receive grant funds on a first- come, first-serve basis. June 13, 2011 Regular Item 600 Page 2 4.Staff proposes a process whereby interested eligible City businesses would file their business tax receipt application and include with it a certification from the University of Central Florida that the City business is currently enrolled in the Incubation Program. Staff would process these applications like any other business tax receipt application, and upon approval, would utilize available grant funds to pay the business tax receipt on behalf of the business. 5.In the event the City Commission desires to establish an economic development grant fund as set forth above, Staff and the City Attorney’s office will prepare a resolution for the City Commission’s consideration. FISCAL IMPACT: The fiscal impact depends on the amount allocated to the fund by the City Commission at any given time. The UCF Incubation Business Program currently has sixteen (16) clients. The annual city fee for each commercial Business Tax Receipt is $100.00. The annual Seminole County fee for each Business Tax Receipt is $25.00 for a non-regulated business and $45.00 for a regulated business. COMMUNICATION EFFORTS: This Agenda Item has been electronically forwarded to the Mayor and City Commission, City Manager, City Attorney/Staff, and all eAlert/eCitizen recipients; and is available on the City’s website, LaserFiche, and the City’s server. Additionally, portions of this Agenda Item are typed verbatim on the respective meeting agenda which has also been electronically forwarded to the individuals noted above; and which is also available on the City’s website, LaserFiche, and the City’s server; has been sent to City staff, media/press representatives who have requested agendas/agenda item information, homeowner’s associations/representatives on file with the City, and all individuals who have requested such information; and has been posted outside City Hall; posted inside City Hall with additional copies available for the general public; and posted at five (5) different locations around the City. This Agenda Item is also available to any new individual requestors. City Staff is always willing to discuss this or any Agenda Item with any interested individuals. RECOMMENDATION: The City Manager and Community Development Department are requesting that the City Commission consider this information and provide direction with respect to establishment of an economic development grant program to assist eligible City businesses with payment of City and County business tax receipt fees. ATTACHMENTS: None