WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS VOTE 4-1 FOR SALES TAX AGREEMENT WITH ACADEMY
Washington County Commissioners voted 4-1 on Tuesday to approve a sales tax agreement with Academy Sports + Outdoors.
The Chapter 381 agreement will reimburse the sporting goods store $1.5 million in sales tax dollars, split three ways between the county, the City of Brenham and the Brenham Community Development Corporation. The other two entities have already approved their portions of the agreement.
Academy’s annual share of sales tax revenue is 80 percent throughout the term of the agreement, which ends in December 2033 or once the county has reimbursed $500,000, whichever comes first. Academy’s total capital investment in the project is $8.8 million.
Commissioner Kirk Hanath voted against approving the agreement. Speaking after the meeting, he said while he is grateful for Academy choosing to come to Brenham, he prefers to make these types of investments into companies in the manufacturing or technology industries, rather than retail, because of the job opportunities they provide.
Also on Tuesday, the court:
- Approved an agreement with Hunden Partners for consulting services for the Washington County Expo Center. Expo Director Harrison Williams said this item for the agreement, which was initially approved on September 26th, is to ensure American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) compliance. The agreement is for $64,800, split into four payments of $16,200.
- Approved updates to the plan for procedures for selecting people for jury service, pursuant to Texas Government Code, Section 62.011.
- Heard monthly reports from several county offices.