E-Help 06/19/2007

INCLUDES:
Sales Tax Rebate (Lockport)
Disaster Preparedness for Water Damage

SALES TAX REBATE 
I was wondering if any municipalities have created a sales tax rebate for a commercial developer that was above and beyond infrastructure improvements.  Also, have they paid the developer interest and if so, what percentage.

Currently, the City of Lockport is proposing a $10.5 million tax rebate to a developer.  The infrastructure improvements only total $3.5 million.  And we will be paying 7% interest per year on the amount of the $10.5 million that is still outstanding after the sales tax rebate.  Any thoughts or comments?
Janice E. Colvin
Finance Director
City of Lockport
jcolvin@lockport.org

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS for water damage
Have you taken the necessary steps to minimize your loss due to water damage?  Considering the fact that the rainy season hasn’t ended yet:

Have you checked to see if the sump pumps are working properly?
Do you have backup pumps? 
Have the pumps been tested? 
Have the batteries been tested?
Are all your files, in the basement, kept at least four to six inches off the floor? 
Are the least important files, kept on the lowest shelf?
Lateral files usually have three to four inch clearance from the floor, do you keep the least important files in the lower drawers?
Are all the floor drains clear of blockage?