SUBJECT
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Public Hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance granting an Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption to a new business, Supply Properties II, LLC, and approval of a Performance Agreement with the company.
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DESCRIPTION
The Board is asked to consider adoption of an ordinance, the title of which is:
AN ORDINANCE OF POLK COUNTY, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING AN EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN AD VALOREM TAXATION FOR SUPPLY PROPERTIES II, LLC, A NEW BUSINESS; PROVIDING FINDINGS OF FACT; PROVIDING A TITLE; PROVIDING THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF REVENUE AVAILABLE TO THE COUNTY FROM AD VALOREM TAX SOURCES FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF REVENUE LOST TO THE COUNTY FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR BY VIRTUE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTIONS CURRENTLY IN EFFECT, AND THE ESTIMATED REVENUE LOSS TO THE COUNTY FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE EXEMPTION FOR SUPPLY PROPERTIES II, LLC; PROVIDING FOR THE GRANT OF AN EXEMPTION FOR 10 YEARS AT 100 PERCENT; PROVIDING FOR A FINDING THAT THE COMPANY MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 196.012 (14), FLORIDA STATUTES, (NEW BUSINESS); PROVIDING FOR CONTINUING PERFORMANCE; PROVIDING FOR APPLICABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REVIEW; PROVIDING FOR EXPIRATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Pursuant to Polk County Ordinance 2022-069, the County received an application for an Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption from a new business, Supply Properties II, LLC, seeking to locate in Polk County. Included with the application was a letter of recommendation from the Winter Haven Economic Development Council and other required documentation showing that the company intends to create at least 100 new full-time jobs in Polk County paying an average annual wage of at least $79,874, which is 150% of the County’s 2025 average annual wage. The Company also intends to invest no less than $125 million in the construction of real property improvements and the purchase of equipment and other tangible personal property for use at the new facility in the Intermodal Logistics Center in Winter Haven. The company plans to develop and facilitate the operation of an approximate 225,000 square foot rail-served cold-storage warehousing and distribution facility.
The application was sent to the Property Appraiser for review, and the Property Appraiser has submitted his report dated March 31, 2025. As required by statute and the ordinance, a performance agreement is required to ensure that the company fulfills all of its obligations. Based on the Board’s adopted policy guidelines for economic development ad valorem tax exemptions, the Company qualifies for a 100% exemption for 10 years.
RECOMMENDATION
(1) Approve and adopt the Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for Supply Properties II, LLC; and (2) approve and execute the Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Performance Agreement between the County and the company.
FISCAL IMPACT
Based on the Property Appraiser’s Report, it is estimated that $620,753 in ad valorem taxes will be lost each year of the ten-year exemption period (2028 through 2037) if the exemption is approved.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Sandra Howard
Deputy County Attorney
863-534-6437