White County Commission renews a healthcare company’s pilot for two years, relieving property taxes in exchange for high paying jobs.
County Executive Denny Robinson said the PILOT program was part of an agreement the county made with the company when they came to the area. The company brought 375 jobs to the county, with wages totaling $17 million in wages. Robinson said over 30 additional jobs will be created this year.
“Altium Healthcare is one of the largest employers in White County,” Robinson said. “So anytime we can try and do anything to help our employers we try. This was a pilot program for their personal property, not real property, but personal property.”
Robinson said the PILOT agreement helps business, as they do not have to keep record and determine value of equipment they own. Robinson said the agreement allows the county to make it easier on businesses with a one lump sum fee.
The Commission approved the payment in lieu of property taxes for $25,000, giving a two year extension of the 25 year deal.
Robinson said the deal was to evaluate Altium Healthcare every five years before establishing another pilot agreement. Robinson said it is important to determine the business hires the amount of people they report.
“That’s why this is not just an endless deal,” Robinson said. “Every five years we’ve been making sure that they’ve hit their benchmarks.”
Robinson said the Commission should come before the Industrial Development Board within two and a half years to determine how to proceed further.