Another Taxpayer Giveaway to VW - Exemption From Water Quality Fees is Driving Up Costs for Other Local Businesses
11/3/2009
Volkswagen is exempt from paying any water quality fees under inducements used to lure the giant plant to Chattanooga
Volkswagen is exempt from paying any water quality fees under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) negotiated by the State of Tennessee, Hamilton County, and the German automaker.
The MOU says, "The Company shall not be responsible for any stormwater fees assessed by the City of Chattanooga or other public entity, the stormwater fees shall be credited against any In Lieu Payments due under this Agreement."
And the exemption will remain in effect for the life of the agreement.
So, what is the result of this giveaway to VW? Well, it seems as though the city of Chattanooga is seeking to recoup those lost revenues by raising the water quality fees on local small businesses. The fees are based upon impervious areas - such as parking lots and rooftops associated with each business entity.
VW will have the largest rooftoop and parking lot areas in the area.
Just one more example of how local and state officials did not have the best interests of local contractors, local businesses and local workers in mind when they negotiated this agreement with Volkswagen.
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