SUBJECT
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Public Hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance amending Ordinance 22-018, the Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for Publix Super Markets, Inc. (Project HORIZON - IT Headquarters).
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DESCRIPTION
On March 15, 2022, the Board adopted Ordinance No. 22-018 establishing an exemption from certain ad valorem taxation for an expanding business, Publix Supermarkets, Inc., related to the expansion of its IT headquarters facility in Polk County. The County and the company also entered into a related Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Performance Agreement on the same date to ensure the company's fulfillment of its obligations under the Ordinance. The Exemption Period, as defined in both the Ordinance and the Performance Agreement, was to run for ten (10) years, from Tax Year 2025 through Tax Year 2034.
On May 6, 2025, upon the request of Publix Super Markets, Inc., the Board adopted Ordinance 2025-029 to delay the start date of the Exemption Period by one year. As a result, the amended Exemption Period, also reflected in an executed First Amendment to the Performance Agreement, is currently Tax Year 2026 through 2035.
Due to various delays and in order to align with another company expansion nearby, Publix Super Markets, Inc., has requested that the Ordinance and Performance Agreement be further amended to delay the start date of the Exemption Period by one (1) additional year, to commence in Tax Year 2027 and run through Tax Year 2036. Because of the length of time that has passed since the County's initial approval of the Publix Project Horizon Exemption in 2022 and the increase to the reported average annual wage for Polk County since that time, Publix has agreed to increase the average annual wage required to be paid under its Performance Agreement with the County to $63,978, which is 115% of the 2026 reported average annual wage for Polk County. Said delay to the Exemption Period and increase to the wage requirement is reflected in th...
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