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Board hears presentation on SandRidge limitation
Al Haney was again the lone voice speaking against what he termed subsidies for multibillion-dollar corporations.
Monday night, at the regular meeting of the Fort Stockton Independent School District Board of Trustees, Haney spoke during one of two public hearings on applications from SandRidge Energy Inc. for limitations on appraisal values for the Century, Grey Ranch and Pikes Peak plants.
"I oppose Oxy paying less than their full share," Haney said. "They're making money hand over fist and will not be hurt by paying taxes."
Occidental Petroleum Corporation is planned to take over the Century Plant from SandRidge following its completion.
Haney further said he believes it's "despicable" for companies like SandRidge and Occidental to play off taxing entities against each other to gain projects.
"They don't need to be subsidized," Haney said. "It's unfair to local, average taxpayers."
Speaking in favor of the applications, Dan Casey said SandRidge has shown a "very strong commitment on their part" and that the $20 million value limitation on the $800 million Century Plant project would benefit school district taxpayers because of the Chapter 313 tax code.
He said the legislation created in 2001 was designed to encourage major capital projects in the state and that school districts have approved or taken under consideration about 100 projects.
According to Kevin O'Hanlon, a colleague of Casey who also spoke in favor of the applications, during the first two years of the agreement, the Century project would be fully taxable, with the $20 million limitation beginning in the third year.
"It's a 60-40 deal," O'Hanlon said. "They're paying 40 percent to save 60 percent. ... When it's fully built, it will be a benefit, lowering taxes for all taxpayers."
According to the school district, the fiscal implications for the district for the two applications will be $31,308,569 through 2019-20.
O'Hanlon said that the $31 million would not be subject to recapture.
Following the public hearings, the board took no action on the applications and is scheduled to review the applications for possible action at its Dec. 22 meeting.
Among other business, the board:
>> extended the delinquent tax attorney contract with Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson LLP for three years
>> approved a contract with Parkhill, Smith and Cooper
>> approved Policy Update 84
>> approved the public report of Highly Qualified Teacher/Paraprofessional Status; superintendent Ron Mayfield reported that all of the district's teachers and paraprofessionals are "highly qualified" for 2008-09
>> approved the Gifted/Talented Plan
>> approved the Campus Improvement Plans
>> approved the District Improvement Plan
>> reappointed Leticia Cox and Jerry McGuairt to terms on the Pecos County Appraisal District Board of Directors
>> approved allowing health screen specialists to provide health screening services for FSISD employees; the screenings will be at no cost to the district, with the employees paying their own costs
>> Mayfield reported district enrolment at 2,346, an increase of 115 from last year
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