Commissioners approve schedule of tax abatements, ask auditor to verify $8.5 million broadband claim for RTC

Daviess County commissioners approved a package of tax abatements listed in the meeting packet and requested that the county auditor follow up to clarify an $8.5 million community-benefit figure tied to Davis Martin RTC.

At the start of the meeting commissioners confirmed the abatements were in the packets and moved through approvals for Graeber Post Buildings, 1 Way Technologies, Client LLC, Grain Processing Corporation, JBR Rentals, Maysville Properties LLC, Melrose Westgate Holdings, Westgate 1 LLC, and Davis Martin RTC. Motions to approve each item were made and seconded; several votes recorded individual abstentions (for example, Commissioner Matt abstained on Graeber Post; Tony abstained on JBR Rentals and on Maysville Properties). The motions carried.

One commissioner raised a substantive question about the Davis Martin RTC entry, noting a listed "community benefit" of $8,500,000 with no supporting documentation in the packet and asking that the auditor’s office contact the RTC for details on how that total was calculated and what geographic or program scope it covered. The commissioner asked specifically to know RTC’s actual impact and how the $8.5 million was derived. Commissioners agreed to have the auditor follow up before the county acts on related funding or reporting matters.

Commissioners also noted a business-sign change at a facility listed as Berry Global, with recent on-site signage showing Amcor following a merger; staff said the abatements had been submitted before the merger was final and future packets may reflect updated names.

No ordinances, statutes, or other legal requirements beyond standard abatement procedures were cited during the discussion; commissioners asked that any missing supporting documents be provided to the auditor for review.