Adam Dontz of the Greater Livingston County Economic Development Council addresses the County Board while County Engineer David Winters looks on./Photo by WJEZ staff
By Todd Wineburner
The Livingston County Board last night approved the tax abatement plan developed by Adam Dontz of the Greater Livingston County Economic Development Council. Dontz answered a series of questions about the agreement, including questions about its viability should some county taxing bodies refuse to sign. Dontz said the plan is structured in a way that prevents individual entities from creating difficulties for others. Board Chair Marty Fannin says a working abatement plan is important for the county, because it gives the county the opportunity to compete with other areas along the I-55 corridor. “This should at least get us at the table and get our foot in the door,” Fannin said after the meeting, “and at least have some of these large companies looking at us to possibly move here.” Not all of the taxing bodies in the county have signed the agreement, but several have and Fannin says he hopes that the county’s endorsement of the proposal will prompt others to do the same. The Pontiac City Council will vote on the tax abatement plan on Monday (12-15).
The board meeting was a short one, and other routine business was addressed. As the meeting ended, Fannin encouraged board members to recommend candidates to replace Joan Bullard. She represented district 2 on the board and resigned recently after committee assignments were handed down. Fannin says the key thing in finding a replacement is spreading the word, not just in district 2, but all over the county, so that the best candidates in district 2 are identified. “Ultimately the decision’s mine with the advice and consent of the county board,” Fannin said. “If anybody knows of somebody that lives in District 2 that they think would be a good board member, please, give me their name and we’ll go through the vetting process.”
Fannin praised Bullard’s work on the board and said he was grateful for her service. Our Community Forum conversation with Livingston County Board Chair Marty Fannin is available on the podcasts page of our website, WJEZ.com. You can hear that interview by clicking HERE.
