City Newspaper Archives - 5/2007
COMIDA: Brooks nixes part of hotel's tax breaks
Published by Jeremy Moule on May 15, 2007
The County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency approved a controversial benefits package for a Brighton hotel project this afternoon. But it dropped a property-tax abatement that had been proposed as part of the package. Brighton Lodging LLC will still receive sales and mortgage-tax abatements.
Prior to the vote on the Brighton Lodging proposal, the COMIDA board approved a new policy, requested by County Executive Maggie Brooks, apparently in response to an objection from the Town of Brighton. Under the original proposal, Brighton would have lost property taxes. The town has protested similar benefits packages in the past and has argued for more town involvement in COMIDA decisions.
Brooks' request was narrowly defined, however. It applies only to property-tax abatements for lodging facilities related to tourism.
The change cost the Brighton Lodging project $166,000 in tax abatements over 10 years. It was approved for $182,000 in mortgage and sales-tax benefits.
