/wp:image
wp:image {“id”:57375}
/wp:image
wp:paragraph
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
In the call to the public at the Taylor Town Council meeting on Dec. 6, two people addressed the council regarding the ongoing purchase of the Roy Palmer Business Park, both raising enough concerns that the council agreed to have a special work session on the first Thursday in January to review the matter.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
The first to speak was Debi Bettis, who said, “I served on the council from 2001 to 2005 and appreciate the hard work. I was contacted and asked if I would read a letter from concerned citizens, which I have agreed to do.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Bettis read, “As residents of Taylor, including property owners and taxpayers, I am here tonight to voice public concern for the actions of this council and town manager, specifically with the apparent purchase of what has been commonly known as the Roy Palmer Business Park. With the latest use of public money in the amount of $292,000, according to the official ledger of activity in November 2018, this now makes the second time this town has paid for the same failing park.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
“From the time it was first proposed as an opportunity from then Councilman Arvin Palmer back in 2003, the park has been a never-ending failure, headache and constant financial drain for this town,” shared Bettis. “It has been mired in controversy, litigation, disappointment and secret backroom deals that have resulted in the town paying out $262,000 in 2010 to get far away from it.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
“Now, with hardly any public comments, you all have decided that this is the time to buy it back again. And this time it is somehow worth $750,000,” continued Bettis. “The park has not taken in a single tenant since 2010 and there are no known pending leases or sales. Even better, the seller, Hatch Development, is the very same party that the town already paid to take over their share the last time.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Bettis concluded with, “On behalf of the taxpayers of Taylor, we urge that the council cease any future progress or movement with the respect to the purchase of the business park until they can make available to the public the exact reasons why this purchase has any merit at all. Failure to adhere to this request will leave the citizens no choice other than to seek an injunction via whatever legal means available.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Taylor resident Alice Franco also spoke in the call to the public regarding the business park. “The only money invested in that land belongs (to the) people of this town. With $200,000 paid in 2010 and $292,000 paid out two weeks ago, that is $490,000, which is probably more than the land is worth,” she stated.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Franco also wanted to know what the cost would be to develop the property. “The airport in this community is super important, but wasting money on this land is not going to help the airport. I know you are trying to do the right thing.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Mayor David Smith directed Town Manager Gus Lundberg to set up a work session in the near future to discuss some of these issues.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Lundberg said, “At the last meeting, the council approved the contract to purchase and I told you I would be back with loan payment options. I am working with the bank but they have some issues they are still trying to figure out as far as our tax exempt status. They typically do tax exempt with bonds and there are some questions as to whether this qualifies under that. It doesn’t really mean anything other than we could possibly pay a higher interest rate. I don’t have a recommendation tonight.”
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
The council unanimously tabled the consideration of loan documents for business park purchase until the next meeting.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
The council then decided that due to the holidays and schedules, it would be best to have the work session at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 3, with the regular meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 10.
/wp:paragraph
