WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE TAX PHASE-IN FOR DOUBLE R BRAND FOODS

  

Washington County Commissioners have agreed to provide tax abatement to a meat production company near Burton.

The court at its meeting today (Tuesday) approved an eight-year agreement for development and tax phase-in between the county and Double R Brand Foods, LLC, doing business as Burton Sausage.  The company is restarting production at the plant, located on over 18 acres at 11700 Highway 290 West, and is investing in equipment and renovation.

Stewart Rosenthal, Chief Financial Officer for Double R Brand Foods, said the abatement will greatly assist the company’s investment in the facility as it markets its products around the country.

 

Rosenthal said the company currently has between 20 and 25 employees, and expects to grow to 35-45 employees over the next two to three months.

The agreement states the tax phase-in incentives are dependent on the company making at least $2 million in real and personal property improvements.  It must also create or maintain a minimum of 10 jobs at an average salary of $36,000 or higher.

The company will receive property tax incentive each year of the agreement based on its combination of property value creation and job creation and retention.  According to the agreement, it will receive 90 percent property tax abatement in the first year, with the abatement decreasing each year unless certain thresholds for property improvements and jobs are met.  If the company makes over $5.5 million in eligible property improvements and creates and retains 50 or more jobs, it can continue receiving 90 percent abatement for up to five years, falling to 80 percent in year six, 60 percent in year seven, and 40 percent in year eight.

Also at today’s meeting, commissioners allocated Hotel Occupancy Tax grant funding for the fall of 2022.  Out of a total of $63,850 requested, the court awarded $22,900 to seven organizations, including the Chappell Hill Chamber of Commerce, Chappell Hill Historical Society, Texas Arts and Music Festival, Texas Cotton Gin Museum, Unity Theatre, Brenham Heritage Museum and Washington-on-the-Brazos.

Commissioners awarded $5,000 to both Unity Theatre and the Texas Arts and Music Festival, $3,600 to Washington-on-the-Brazos, $3,000 to the Chappell Hill Historical Society, $3,000 to the Texas Cotton Gin Museum, $2,050 to the Chappell Hill Historical Society and $1,250 to the Brenham Heritage Museum.

The remaining $2,100 from the $25,000 available for the fall funding cycle will roll over into the next funding cycle for the spring.

Commissioners also:

• Approved an agreement with PM AM Corporation for alarm program administration services, as well as a resolution and order to adopt the Washington County rules governing alarms. Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak said the agreement will assist the Washington County Sheriff’s Office by providing false alarm management solutions to reduce the number of false alarm responses.
• Held a workshop to discuss county Blue Cross Blue Shield health coverage rate increases.
• Approved a formal notice from Industry Telephone Company for utility installations on Koether Road and Sandtown Road in Precinct 4. They also approved a formal notice from AT&T Texas for utility installations on Wonder Hill Road in Precinct 2.
• Granted a 90 day extension of 72.5 excess vacation hours for Clifton Bellard with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and a 90 day extension of 112.5 excess vacation hours for Derrick Washington with the sheriff’s office.