New businesses in Fulton can apply to reduce their municipal electric costs up to 40 percent for six months, according to the City Council.
The incentive program that was passed during the Fulton City Council's regular meeting Tuesday will allow new businesses generating sales tax to apply for the 25 to 40 percent reduction.
Bruce Hackmann, the economic development director with the Callaway Chamber of Commerce, teamed up with Brian Warren, the owner of Well Read Books, to discuss incentivizing filling the vacant spaces in the Brick District.
"The bottom line is it's designed to create jobs and stimulate sales tax for the city," Hackmann said.
New businesses that set up shop in previously vacant commercial space or a newly constructed commercial space are eligible for the incentive. Once they open their doors, they have 30 days to complete and submit an Economic Development Incentive Program application to the chamber.
New businesses that are eligible for the reduction can qualify for a particular reduction rate following the given base deduction of 20 percent. Businesses can increase that rate by 5 percent by creating between one and five full-time jobs or 10 percent by creating six or more full-time jobs. Businesses can also expand weekend hours to a minimum of 12 hours on Saturday and Sunday for an additional 10 percent deduction.
"I think this program will pay for itself," Hackmann said. He went on to say the incentive will cost the city initially, but the additional sales tax will eventually make up for that initial loss.
Although a reduction in cost is required, the city's current utility program cannot apply the decrease to the initial bill. Instead, eligible businesses will pay their full bill up front and be reimbursed the difference, or they can request to have it directly applied as a credit to their next bill, City Administrator Bill Johnson said.
The council also discussed an update from the Burn Committee that is trying to find a solution to the amount of leaves clogging the city's storm water drains.
Mayor LeRoy Benton said the committee has discussed the possibility of having a two-day burn at the end of October. The council would have the option to temporarily suspend or change city ordinances that conflict with the proposed burn, Solid Waste Manager J.C. Miller said. Fulton currently has an ordinance in place that prohibits burning solid waste, which includes yard waste.
Miller spoke with the unit chief for air pollution, Steve Boone, at the Department of Natural Resources about rules and regulations for a citywide burn. Miller reported that since Callaway has no ordinances against the burn, it would be OK to move forward.
Previous measures to remove dead leaves from yards included collecting and disposing the leaves as solid waste or turning them into mulch Public Information Office Darin Wernig previously told the Fulton Sun.
In 2004, the city received a grant from the Mid Missouri Solid Waste Management District H to purchase compost bags for $0.25. The city purchased 70,000 bags each time but has since depleted its supply. Miller crunched the numbers, and without the grant, it can purchase bags for approximately $0.40.
Interim Fire Chief Kevin Coffelt said if a citywide burn became an option then the fire department would request the period of two days to be extended to the course of a week or more. He also said the fires would be required to be relatively small and away from the road.
While the council did not pass an ordinance for the proposed burn, Benton wants to hear opinions from the public before the Feb. 9 council meeting. Johnson expects a decision to be made on the proposal at that time.
Community members can contact Fulton City Hall at 573-592-3111.