[Ord. No. 2416 §1, 11-1-2010; Ord. No. 2469 §§1—2, 5-7-2012]
There is hereby established the Higginsville Enhanced Enterprise Zone Abatement Policy which provides for the granting of an abatement of ad valorem taxes otherwise imposed by any political subdivision of this State or municipality thereof including, but not limited to, City of Higginsville, any special or other school district, any sewer district, fire district, zoo-museum district or cultural district, or any other special district or public entity whatsoever that levies or collects ad valorem taxes on real property, on subsequent improvements to real property located in the City and within the Zone, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Article. The City of Higginsville and Lafayette County have initially established an abatement level of the ad valorem taxes otherwise imposed by any political subdivision of this State on subsequent improvements to real property as follows:
Benefit Levels for Eligible Companies
Qualification Requirements
Abatement Level/Term
Minimum requirements—As determined by DED: 2 new full-time employees and $100,000.00 (minimum) capital investment
50% abatement/10 years
Additional Abatement Increment Benefits
Investment
Capital investment exceeding $1 million
5% additional abatement
Capital investment exceeding $3 million
10% additional abatement
Capital investment exceeding $5 million
15% additional abatement
Capital investment exceeding $10 million
20% additional abatement
Capital investment exceeding $15 million
25% additional abatement
Existing eligible business investment $1 million or more
Consideration of up to 25% additional abatement
STIPULATIONS
Eligible companies are required to pay at least the Lafayette County average wage (pertains to new jobs only)
Real property tax abatement for this program are discretionary
Qualifying improvements must be used for industries or clusters of industries eligible under Section 135.950(9)(b), RSMo., and identified at the discretion of each governing authority having jurisdiction within the Higginsville Enhanced Enterprise Zone as an Enhanced Business Enterprise. The City of Higginsville has designated industries with the following NAICS Codes as Enhanced Business Enterprises within the City Limits of Higginsville.
11
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
22
Utilities
23
Construction
31—33
Manufacturing
42
Wholesale
48—49
Transportation and Warehousing
51
Information
52
Finance and Insurance
54
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
55
Management of Companies and Enterprises
56
Administration and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
72
Accommodations and Food Services
The following NAICS sectors are specifically excluded: retail trade (NAICS sectors 44 and 45); Educational Services—61; Gaming (NAICS 7132); food and drinking places (NAICS subsector 722); Religious organizations (NACIS industry group 8131); and Public administration (NAICS sector 92); and provided further that service industries may be eligible only if a majority of the annual revenues will be derived from services provided out of the State. Qualifying improvements shall remain at least fifty percent (50%) exempt from ad valorem taxes for a period of not less than ten (10) years following the date such improvements are first assessed, but in any event no later than twenty-five (25) years following the date of the original designation of the Higginsville Enhanced Enterprise Zone.
[Ord. No. 2416 §2, 11-1-2010; Ord. No. 2469 §§1—2, 5-7-2012]
A. 
Any abatement or exemption provided for within the Enhanced Enterprise Zone designated area on an individual parcel of real property shall cease after a period of thirty (30) days of business closure, work stoppage, major reduction in force, or a significant change in the type of business conducted at that location. For the purposes of this Enhanced Enterprise Zone, "work stoppage" shall not include strike or lockout or time necessary to retool a plant, and a "major reduction in force" is defined as a reduction of ninety-five percent (95%) or greater reduction in the number of persons actually working at the location. Any owner or new owner of the industry may reapply for exemption, but cannot receive the abatement or exemption for any period of time beyond the original life of the Enhanced Enterprise Zone.
B. 
In accord with Section 135.963.7, RSMo., the abatement granted in this Article shall not relieve the Lafayette County Assessor from ascertaining the amount of the equalized assessed value of all taxable property annually as required by Sections 99.855, 99.957 or 99.1042, RSMo., and shall not have the effect of reducing the payments in lieu of taxes referred to in Subdivision (2) of Subsection (1) of Section 99.845, RSMo., Subdivision (2) of Subsection (3) of Section 99.957, RSMo., or Subdivision (2) of Subsection (3) of Section 99.1042, RSMo., unless such reduction is set forth in the plan approved by the appropriate legislative authority pursuant to Subdivision (1) of Section 99.820, RSMo., Section 99.942, RSMo., or Section 99.1027, RSMo.