An application for a tax abatement from HIF USA – a synthetic fuel manufacturer - was accepted by Commissioners Court at its regular meeting Monday, Dec. 20.
While little was said about HIF (Highly Innovative Fuels) at the court’s session, the company proposes a 340-acre, $250 million synthetic fuel manufacturing facility in Matagorda County.
That information came from HIF’s request for a 313 agreement from Tidehaven school trustees at their Oct. 11 meeting.
At that meeting, trustees were told HIF proposes a clean-energy process would integrate a wind-powered electrolyzer to produce green hydrogen from water, which will then be combined with CO2 captured from the atmosphere to produce synthetic methanol.
Matagorda County is the only location that HIF is considering in Texas, but the company also is looking at a site in New Mexico and in other states, said Mitch Thames, president of Bay City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture.
New Mexico is “very aggressive” in seeking economic development projects, Thames added.
“There is stiff competition with other states,” Thames told commissioners.
In other action, the court:
n Heard the annual delinquent property tax report for Matagorda County from attorney Nicole J. Borchard, with the law firm of Linebarger Goggan Blair and Sampson, LLP.
The court also approved a tax collection agreement between the county and the firm and authorized an additional penalty on delinquent personal property taxes to defray collection costs.
Borchard said the firm works with delinquent taxpayers to resolve what’s owed to the county.
Several steps are taken, including “threatening letters,” and if the process goes on the cases move “from blue to red,” she said.
The firm has represented Matagorda County for almost 43 years, Borchard told the court.
- Approved the 2022 disposal agreement between the county transfer station and Waste Connections subsidiary – Seabreeze Environmental Landfill at $22.48 a ton, effective Jan. 1.
Environmental Health Director Lisa “This is the usual contract,” Krobot told commissioners.
- Authorized Precinct 4 Commissioner Bubba Frick to purchase playground equipment – a swing – from Kraftsman Playgrounds, totaling $24,998, for Markham Northside Park.
The equipment upgrade for the park includes mulch for children to land on off of the swing, Frick said.
- Approved the 100% design plans by Urban Engineering for a sewer lift station in Van Vleck.
- Accepted the deputation of Lesley Scardami as deputy county clerk.
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