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GoogleBedrod County Mayor Eugene Ray said this morning the in-lieu-of-tax agreement was agreed upon when the county sold what was then called Bedford County Medical Center to Brentwood-based Community Health Systems in 2005. CHS moved the hospital in July from its old, county-owned building to a new building in Airport Industrial Park. He said County Attorney John T. Bobo has been researching the best way to grant such a tax abatement.
"We're just trying to make sure it's legal," Ray said.
The resolution to be considered this month would create a Health, Educational and Housing Facility Board, which by state law can grant property tax relief to facilities like hospitals.
If the resolution passes at the Dec. 9 county commission meeting, the newly-created board would meet Dec. 15 to elect officers and to approve papers for a tax abatement for the hospital.
Ray and Shelbyville Mayor Wallace Cartwright, along with chairman John T. Pope, of the Shelbyville Industrial Development Board, have signed a document requesting that such a board be incorporated and that the city and county legislative bodies approve it.
The resolution did not go through any of the commission's standing committees; Ray said it was placed on the full commission's agenda by the county finance department and said it's not necessary for every agenda item to go through a committee.
In-lieu-of-tax agreements are commonly used as an incentive to recruit new industries or expansions of existing industry. In the case of an industry, the property is deeded to the local industrial development board, which is tax exempt. The industry then leases the property from the board and pays an "in-lieu-of-tax" payment according to an agreed-upon schedule, which may start with no payment at all and then increase over the life of the agreement.
The resolution being considered this month contains no specifics about what the in-lieu-of-tax agreement would be with the hospital; it merely establishes the health facilities board and authorizes it to make such agreements.
Members of the board would be Ray, Pope, David Crowell, Randy Vernon, Larry Wells, Ron Reed, Wendell Agnew, James Winnette and Anne Blanton.
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These businesses make a profit, let them pay taxes. I understand that some incentive is required to attract business for jobs. Our county needs the revenue, though. I see that they pay an amount...is it anywhere close to what the tax would be?
I understand why these incentives exist. They're often instumental in luring new business into the area, which creates new revenue and new employment opportunities for the community.
I don't think they should have necessarily been offered in this situation, though. I'm also interested in knowing what the difference in the rate would be.
Well, Well, Well...looks like Mr.Ray and his County Commissioner buddies have struck again. I can understand offering some kind of incentive for large companies to come to Bedford county but please, to give a multi-million dollar company a big tax break seems to me would take away from the county. I know they havent announced how big the break will be but im sure it will benefit CHS very well. I wonder how THIS will screw the county employees out of raises, extra help and equipment. Im sure there are some county commissioners already pondering ideas for that since they dont care about them anyways.......
It's my opinion they need to shut the doors on HERITAGE Medical Center - You recieve better care at a Vet! New building DOES NOT mean better staff - it's still run by the same morons as before - worse this time!!!!!
If giving this tax break to them would mean;
They would give their employees more money,the people that use their hospital more affordable prices on their bills. Then I would be in favor of this tax break.
But as I see it now is; "The rich keeps getting RICHER"
Yes it might be the same people running the new hospital,but for you to say that the new building still has the same "Morons" running it. Is not fair. Some are there not because of the lousy pay they get. But because they really want to make a difference to the people that use the hospital.( Like there are always afew bad apples in the basket,but all of them aren't bad)
I really think that the way things are there now.A tax cut would not be in the best interests of the county.
I know todays economy is bad. But those of you who complain about the hostital. You really need to look at the employees pay stub.And be glad of the ones who are there for the right reason. Because if they took the attitude, ya get what they get paid for.Well let me tell ya a Veternarian gets paid a whole lot better. So then those of you who think ya should go to a Vet for better treatment, ya better think twice.
You have the Freedom of choice to go where ever you want to go. But ones thing is for sure;
"Ya never know,but one day your life or someone close to you may depend on that hospital.And you will be glad it was there." Just like a spare tire,you never know when you might need it,without it where would you be? But if its there when you need it,it was worth having it."
I'm glad we have a hospital in our town.Even if it did move to the out side of town.
When it saves the life of someone you love,then maybe your attitude will change....
I for one am very glad we have Heritage Medical Center. They have taken excellent care of my father the last 1 1/2 years, and even when nothing futher could be done on his last emergency visit, they took care of my family. I work at at big city hospital that provides excellent care, but it does not have that small town touch that Heritage has. I'm not sure about the tax incentive, but if it helps provide care for the needy, then go for it.
Does the hospital or anyone receiving a tax break have to submit a financial report to the county? They should have to prove the break they are receiving is not simply stuffing the pockets of the big wigs.
You people clearly don't know what you're talking about. In-Lieu of Tax agreements doesn't mean they get out of paying taxes. They will still have to pay the county an amount based on the property appraisal just like normal, it's just not as much as the regular taxes. And yes, you do have to submit paperwork each year with financial information.
AngieW - If you don't like our hospital, go out of town, maybe you will get gangrene at Harton. It's that simple!
Piper...You clearly did not read the comments. We are aware they have to pay, just not the original tax amount, but no one has come up with a pay scale yet. We want to know if it is close.
Who reviews the financial records and is there a clause in the contract that it can rescinded under various guidelines?
And I agree with Angie...my husband has orders from me that if I can live without immediate treatment, don't take me to Heritage. A family member of mine had a "simple" procedure (words of the attending) and it took him 18 weeks to get home..that's right 18 weeks.