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Rush City accepts JOBZ designationBy MaryHelen Swanson Rush City council member David Janssen believes if the city goes along with the JOBZ acres designation some business could move to Rush City that will benefit the community. The Job Opportunity Building Zones program has been approved by the state for 72 acres in the cityís industrial park, owned jointly with the Chisago County HRA-EDA. The designation means that a business could potentially move into the city under the JOBZ program and receive tax-free status and all the other exemption allowed under this new program of the state of Minnesota. The city has the right to set criteria, and plans to do so at a later date, for the business or industry that would take advantage of the JOBZ program in its industrial park. Such criteria might include wage limits and benefits, the kind of building to be constructed, etc. but it cannot say what kind of business would be permitted, according to City Administrator Daniel Hoffman. The city council adopted two resolutions at its Dec. 22 meeting accepting the designation and agreeing to provide all of the local tax exemptions and credits provided for under the JOBZ legislation. In other business at the Dec. 22 meeting, the council approved the 2004 expenditure budget of $897,520 and a levy for 2004 payable taxes of $250,810. They approved a statewide mutual aid agreement for times when other local governments may need the assistance of Rush Cityís personnel and equipment. It gives the mayor and/or city administrator authority to dispatch equipment and personnel when it is not practical for the council to meet to authorize sending such assistance. It also gives them authority to recall any equipment and personnel when no longer needed by the requesting local government or when ordered by action of the city council. The council also accepted the resignation of Matt Sanders, a volunteer firefighter because he is moving away. It was noted that Sanders said the four years he served on the department, was the highlight of his life. They approved the renewal of a hangar lease at the regional airport for Bruce Bjorklund of Cambridge and approved Change Order #4 with Frontier Construction. The council also approved payment of bills in the amount of $160,503.62. ©ECM Post Review |