IDA PRESENT:

___SUE COLLINS, CHAIRMAN
___DR. GREG TRUCKENMILLER, VICE CHAIRMAN
___MIKE FITZGERALD, TREASURER
___JOE GILLIS, SECRETARY
___JOSEPH SEMIONE, MEMBER
___DAVID D’AMORE, MEMBER
___DAN ROUNDS, MEMBER (VIA ZOOM)
___KARA LAIS, FITZGERALD, MORRIS, BAKER, FIRTH PC
___SCOTT HENZE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

OTHERS PRESENT:

___TOM ROEHL, LIASON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT&ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
___RON PETERS, PRESIDENT & CEO, FCCRG (ZOOM)
___TERRI EASTERLY, FCCRG
___ASHLEY CAPOBIANCO, FMRCC

IDA’S MISSION:

The IDA’s mission is to create and promote economic growth and prosperity for both residents and entrepreneurs in Fulton County. The IDA’s role in Fulton County’s Economic Development Program is to develop and maintain an inventory of shovel-ready sites for new and expanding businesses, offer financial incentives, as may be required, to encourage the creation of new and retention of existing jobs and expand the County’s tax base. In doing so, the IDA strives to make Fulton County a desirable place to live and do business.

MOTION        :
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DISCUSSION:
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MOTION :
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VOTE               :

A. Nominating Committee

No report

B. Audit Committee:

• Monthly Bank Reconciliation Report:  Sue Collins
• IDA DISCUSSION:

C. Governance Committee:

• No report.

D. Finance Committee:

•  No report.

1. County Report: Tom Roehl

IDA DISCUSSION:

2. FCCRG Report: (See attached.) Terri Easterly

IDA DISCUSSION:

3. FMRCC Report: Ashley Capobianco

IDA DISCUSSION:

• Nexus continues to wait until the Town of Johnstown Moratorium expires so it can file an application for a new Special Use Permit.
• The Town of Johnstown held their last committee meeting on the new solar regulations on February 6, 2025 and have forwarded the draft to their counsel for a legal review.
• The Town of Johnstown issued a second 6-month extension to their moratorium that will not end on August 26, 2025.
• Executive Director scheduled a virtual meeting with Nexus on February 19, 2025.

IDA DISCUSSION:

1. Key Finding:

• West and Company has completed its audit of the IDA 2024 financial statements.
• Based upon West & Company’s review West & Company has issued an“unmodified opinion.”
• This is the best opinion the IDA can receive.
• The IDA has consistently received unmodified opinions on its audits.
• Draft Audit was emailed to IDA Board members on March 3, 2025.

2. Review Audit: West & Company: Amy Pedrick

• See Handout

IDA DISCUSSION:

IDA ACTION:

MOTION:              To approve the 2024 Audit as submitted by the West & Company and authorize West & Company and the Executive Director to file the Audit in PARIS and with Fulton County Treasurer, Commissioner of Department of Economic Development, NYS Comptroller and to post it on the IDA’s website.

MADE BY:
SECONDED:
DISCUSSION:
VOTE:

1. IDA Policy 14 – Uniform Tax Exemption Policy

• During the IDA’s Annual Meeting held on January 14, 2025, the Board asked that the Executive Director review the IDA’s Policies (older) and recommend any changes.
• During that time, notice was given via NYS Assembly Bill 2025-A1098 to an amendment to General Municipal Law (GML) Section 874 – Tax Exemptions.
• The amendment is specific to Section 874(4)(a) that states that the agency (IDA) shall establish a uniform tax exemption policy that shall provide guidelines for the claiming of real property, mortgage recording and sales tax exemptions and that such guidelines shall include, but not limited to: period of exemption; percentage of exemption; types of projects for which exemptions can be claimed; procedures for payments in lieu of taxes and instances in which real property appraisals are to be performed as part of an application for tax exemption; in addition, agencies shall in adopting such policy consider such issues as:

1. The extent to which a project will create or retain permanent, private sector jobs
2. The estimated value of any tax exemptions to be provided
3. Whether affected tax jurisdictions shall be reimbursed by the project occupant if a project does not fulfill the purposes for which an exemption was provided
4. The impact of a proposed project on existing and proposed businesses and economic development projects in the vicinity
5. The amount of private sector investment generated or likely to be generated by the proposed project
6. The demonstrated public support for the proposed project
7. The likelihood of accomplishing the proposed project in a timely fashion
8. The effect of the proposed project on the environment
9. The extent to which the project will utilize, the fullest extent practicable and economically feasible, resource conservation, energy efficiency, green technologies, and alternative and renewable energy measures
10. The extent to which the project will provide onsite child [daycare facilities] CARE SERVICES or OTHERWISE FACILITATE NEW CHILD CARE SERVICES
11. The extent to which the proposed project will require the provision of additional services, including, but not limited to additional educational, transportation, police, emergency medical or fire services; and the extent to which the proposed project will provide additional sources of revenue for municipalities and school districts

1. During the February 11, 2025 meeting, the IDA compared the language within Section 874(4)(a) with the language specific to the IDA’s current UTEP.
2. Based upon that review, the IDA agreed to add a general statement to the IDA’s UTEP referencing GML’s Section 874 plus fine-tuning the remaining language accordingly.
3. *See below:

IDA DISCUSSION:

IDA ACTION:

MOTION:

MADE BY:
SECONDED:
DISCUSSION:
VOTE:

1. Upon a majority vote of its total membership, taken in an open meeting pursuant to a motion identifying the general area or areas of the subject or subjects to be considered, a public body may conduct an executive session for the below enumerated purposes only, provided, however, that no action by formal vote shall be taken to appropriate public moneys:

i. matters which will imperil the public safety if disclosed;
ii. any matter which may disclose the identity of a law enforcement agent or informer;
iii. information relating to current or future investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense which would imperil effective law enforcement if disclosed;
iv. discussions regarding proposed, pending or current litigation;
v. collective negotiations pursuant to article fourteen of the civil service law;
vi. the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation;
vii. the preparation, grading or administration of examinations;
viii. the proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real property or the proposed acquisition of securities, or sale or exchange of securities held by such public body, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value thereof.

MOTION:  To go into Executive Session to discuss the proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real property or the proposed acquisition of securities, or sale or exchange of securities held by such public body, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value thereof.

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MOTION        :           To go out of Executive Session.

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Tuesday
April 8, 2025
8:00 a.m.

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