Guidelines and Criteria For Granting

Tax Abatement In a

Reinvestment Zone Created in Brazoria County

WHEREAS, the creation, retention and diversification of job opportunities that bring new wealth are among the highest civic priority; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of tax abatement is to provide an incentive offered by the tax-payers, i.e. citizens of Brazoria County, to attract investments, that lead to better quality of life and better services. The wealth created by these enterprises leads to more service and retail businesses, which in addition to improving quality of life, increases the tax base. In summary, by giving incentive in terms of tax abatement, the citizens agree to give up short term tax benefits, for long term benefits; and

WHEREAS, new jobs, investment and industrial diversification will benefit the area economy, provide needed opportunities, strengthen the real estate market and generate tax revenue to support local services; and

WHEREAS, the communities within Brazoria County must compete with other localities across the nation currently offering tax inducements to attract new plant and modernization projects; and

WHEREAS, any tax incentives offered in Brazoria County would reduce needed tax revenue unless strictly limited in application to those new and existing industries that bring new wealth to the community; and

WHEREAS, the abatement of property taxes, when offered to attract capital investment and primary jobs in industries which bring in money from outside a community instead of merely recirculating dollars within a community, has been shown to be an effective method of enhancing and diversifying an area of economy; and

WHEREAS, Texas law requires any eligible taxing jurisdiction to establish Guidelines and Criteria as to eligibility for tax abatement agreements prior to granting of any future tax abatement, and said Guidelines and Criteria to be unchanged for a two year period unless amended by a three-quarters vote;

WHEREAS, Texas law requires a public hearing regarding the proposed adoption, amendment, repeal, or reauthorization of tax abatement guidelines and criteria;

WHEREAS, a public hearing was held and these Guidelines and Criteria for Grating Tax Abatement in a Reinvestment Zone in Brazoria County was approved under Court Order I.3  dated July 23, 2024.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that Brazoria County does hereby adopt these Guidelines and Criteria for granting tax abatement in reinvestment zones in Brazoria County.

Click for the State Comptroller's website: Tax Abatement Agreement

Brazoria County Industrial Service Companies Directory

Tax Abatement Agreement Applications and Annual Reports should be submitted by Email to the following address: BC312@brazoriacountytx.gov.