Hey COMIDA - when is Brighton getting its money back?
By now you know that COMIDA is a quasi governmental agency that redirects tax dollars in exchange of promises of economic growth. Economic growth is defined as job creation. We can discuss the COMIDA grants for Dentists or Seabreeze later - now are are going to discuss COMIDA, Town of Brighton, and the Wellesley Inn.
In short - when are Brighton tax payers getting thier tax dollars refunded?
Here is the deal.
The Wellesley Inn received a 100K grant from COMIDA. They then applied for and additional ~$300K which was ultimately reduced to ~200K. There was a public hearing, Brighton residents and the Town of Brighton voiced strong opposition. The COMIDA board knew better and faster than a kangaroo court, approved the COMDIA grants for the Wellesley hotel.
But the story doesn’t end there.
The Wellesley Hotel owners who need this money an unviable business plan viable can’t meet the minimal COMDIA requirements. Got that - they can’t meet the COMDIA requirements - so one by one the COMIDA awards are stripped.
Now this is where is gets interesting.
They already spent a portion of the award money. Brighton is trying to recoup it. By “it” I simply mean the Brighton Tax dollars COMIDA allowed to be misspent.
Brighton officials want to recoup money they say they lost because of an undeserved tax break to a controversial hotel project.
Brighton Lodging applied to COMIDA earlier this year for about $180,000 in mortgage and sales tax exemptions. The company bought and renovated the Wellesley Inn on East Henrietta Road.
In October, after heavy criticism from labor groups and Brighton officials, the company withdrew its request for the sales tax exemption.
But it did receive the mortgage tax break. Hotels shouldn’t receive exemptions, critics say, because they locate based on demand.
During the December 18 COMIDA board meeting, Brighton Town Board member Ray Tierney asked if the agency will try to recoup the mortgage tax money. The benefits could be worth as much as $60,000 - $30,000 each for the town and the county.
The board did not give Tierney a definitive answer. COMIDA chair Theresa Mazullo said the agency will explore the matter
It is nice to know the COMIDA board is on the case. Actually, Ray Tierney first asked the board in November - November 20th. He asks again in December I’m sure he will ask again in January.
The question is will COMIDA deliver?
COMIDA needs a full scale State audit and investigation. The more I read, the more I’m concerned. The names on the list of “recipients” makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
Kudos to Brighton…but it needs to be taken to the next level. Can a citizen (and I’m assuming they can) request a full audit?
The other question is -
Why is Brighton (or at least it only seems like Brighton) is the only town publicly trying to hold COMIDA accountable.
eeney meeney miney mo…Most of the burbs are GOP controlled with only a few flipping recently.
My money says it’s part of the “plan”…
[...] So, where have we heard of an IDA going against the Town’s wishes? The IDA here is Monroe County?ÂÂ It’s called COMIDA.ÂÂ Can you say “Wellsley Hotel”? [...]
[...] wrote about about it over the holidays but you may have missed it it is worth a reread - Brighton is seeking return or COMDIA [...]
[...] on the surface this on sounds promising. For Brighton, certainly more promising than the Wellsley Hotel or the the Harley school. This looks like we potentially are importing jobs into or region which is [...]
[...] have the Wellsley Hotel. Before the application was withdrawn and revoked (there were two applications) - $60,000 dollars [...]
[...] jobs or grants from business’ that are bound geographically say the Midtown Athletic Club, Wellsley Hotel, Harley School. Seabreeze, various Dental offices, and [...]
[...] Seil, “They deserve it. They provide a valuable service to the community like the dentists, hotels and athletic clubs to which we give COMIDA tax benefits and we don’t want them relocating to [...]
[...] The one that got all COMIDA benefits and upon further investigation could not meet the minimal requirements and ultimately the tax breaks were rescinded and the application withdrawn. [...]