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Sec. 312.205. SPECIFIC TERMS OF TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT.

(a) An agreement made under Section 312.204 or 312.211 must:

(1) list the kind, number, and location of all proposed improvements of the property;

(2) provide access to and authorize inspection of the property by municipal employees to ensure that the improvements or repairs are made according to the specifications and conditions of the agreement;

(3) limit the uses of the property consistent with the general purpose of encouraging development or redevelopment of the zone during the period that property tax exemptions are in effect;

(4) provide for recapturing property tax revenue lost as a result of the agreement if the owner of the property fails to make the improvements or repairs as provided by the agreement;

(5) contain each term agreed to by the owner of the property;

(6) require the owner of the property to certify annually to the governing body of each taxing unit that the owner is in compliance with each applicable term of the agreement; and

(7) provide that the governing body of the municipality may cancel or modify the agreement if the property owner fails to comply with the agreement.

(b) An agreement made under Section 312.204 or 312.211 may include, at the option of the governing body of the municipality, provisions for:

(1) improvements or repairs by the municipality to streets, sidewalks, and utility services or facilities associated with the property, except that the agreement may not provide for lower charges or rates than are made for other services or properties of a similar character;

(2) an economic feasibility study, including a detailed list of estimated improvement costs, a description of the methods of financing all estimated costs, and the time when related costs or monetary obligations are to be incurred;

(3) a map showing existing uses and conditions of real property in the reinvestment zone;

(4) a map showing proposed improvements and uses in the reinvestment zone;

(5) proposed changes of zoning ordinances, the master plan, the map, building codes, and city ordinances; and

(6) the recapture of all or a portion of property tax revenue lost as a result of the agreement if the owner of the property fails to create all or a portion of the number of new jobs provided by the agreement, if the appraised value of the property subject to the agreement does not attain a value specified in the agreement, or if the owner fails to meet any other performance criteria provided by the agreement, and payment of a penalty or interest, or both, on that recaptured property tax revenue.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 191, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 995, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 855, Sec. 12, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1333, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 740, Sec. 1, eff. June 13, 2001.

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