By Lauren Swanson
Newton Kansan
The Harvey County Commission voted Monday to grant a 10-year property tax abatement for the recently expanded Park Aircraft Technologies facility at the Newton City/County Airport.
Mickey Fornaro-Dean addressed the commission in support of the abatement on behalf of the Harvey County Economic Development Council. The commission also heard from Mark Esquivel from Park Aircraft Technologies before voting to approve the abatement.
Esquivel told the commission the company plans to employ 90 people within the next five to 10 years.
Park Aircraft Technologies currently employs 22, Esquivel said. The expansion of the facility at the airport started in October 2009 and is expected to be finished this month. The additional space should be in use any time between now and early 2011.
The resolution, adopted by the commission after a brief public hearing, allows for a 10 year exemption from property taxes for the company’s facility at the airport.
The tax abatement is intended to “enhance the economic development goals of the county,” according to the wording of the resolution.
Voting on the resolution were commissioners Ron Krehbiel and Chip Westfall; Commissioner Marge Roberson was absent.
Child care inspections
Also at the meeting, the commission approved a change to the Health Department fee policy. Prior to the change, the health department was unable to enforce collection of fees for inspections of child care facilities the department conducts on behalf of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
KDHE issues licenses to child care providers, and there was no process in place for the local health department to refuse to conduct an annual inspection or demand compensation for past inspections. Under the resolution passed Monday, the health department may now require payment before an inspection is conducted.
County employee retirement
Commissioners also received an informational briefing from assistant county administrator Anthony Swartzendruber about options for changes to county employee retirement savings plans. The discussion focused on additional plans the county may offer. However, commissioners agreed some kind of informational session would need to be offered to employees to make clear what is available to them and explain any changes.
