A Vicksburg business planning a new office building on South Frontage Road applied to have taxes put on hold for seven years while the property is redeveloped.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted Monday to accept the application from Daniel P. Waring and Ronald L. Andrews. Taxes on the property at 2640 S. Frontage Road for 2007 were $3,795, according to records with the Warren County Tax Collector’s Office. The site, now cleared, was formerly a Ponderosa steak restaurant.

Only one portion of the property will be developed and is seeking tax abatement on the higher valuation that will result, according to a resolution to grant conditional approval. The conditions, outlined in the resolution, require all work be completed in accordance with the application and all city codes. It also requires the increase in ad valorem taxes not to exceed seven years and a final determination be made by the county tax assessor.

The application is under the city’s Tax Abatement Program for Redevelopment Districts, which has been extended to several firms to encourage new investment.

“If (a business) is going to renovate or demolish and rebuild a commercial property within the city limits and is going to invest, they get ‘x’ amount of years on tax abatement on the increase,” said City Attorney Nancy Thomas.

The project, estimated for completion by October, will cost about $440,600, the application states, which means its owner is eligible for the maximum seven-year abatement. Other abatements are allowed on properties in the city’s historic district, within the Central Business District, in a redevelopment area, an existing structure undergoing rehabilitation or properties that are Vicksburg or Mississippi Landmarks or are listed on the National Register. Tax abatements for commercial properties are broken down to allow three-year abatements for project investments of $100,000, five-year abatements for projects of $150,000 in investments and seven-year abatements for projects worth $300,000.

The board also accepted applications for ad valorem tax exemption from four local industrial properties in Monday’s meeting. The applications, made by Falco Chemical Inc., Polyvulc USA Inc., Cappaert Manfactured Housing Inc. and Cooper Lighting, allow industries to receive an exemption from taxes placed on new inventory, Thomas said.

“If they add inventory, they can request up to a 10-year exemption,” she said.

The exemptions, which exclude school district taxes and taxes on finished goods and rolling stock, are allowed through Mississippi law and act as tax incentives for industrial businesses. Requests must be made by June 1 each year following the date of completion of a new enterprise or an addition or expansion by an existing enterprise, according to information from the State Tax Commission. Separate applications are filed for city and county exemptions.

On the agendaMeeting Monday, Vicksburg officials:Proclaimed June Responsible Fatherhood Month.Presented Isabelle Adams with the Vicksburg Senior Center’s Senior of the Month.Appointed Barbara Luke and John W. Carroll Sr. as deputy city clerks.Received sealed bids for $64,400 from Mid-South Signs of Columbus for a digital display message sign for the Vicksburg Convention Center; multiple line items from Fleet Safety Equipment Inc. of Memphis and Roper Supply of Picayune for vehicle accessories; for $114.96 per ton from Falco Lime for pebble lime; and multiple line items from Mid-South Uniform & Supply Inc., for fire and ambulance department uniforms. The board also voted to have the city clerk re-advertise for sealed bids for traffic signal components.Approved a request from the Good Shepherd Center for $100 to support Fun Day at the Day Care.Approved a budget amendment to use $490 from a federal grant to purchase a protective vest.Authorized the mayor to sign a deal with A.M. Pyrotechnic for Fourth of July fireworks.Adopted a resolution to declare property surplus and convey it to Warren County Land Development LLC to construct a residential home within two years.Discussed 12 dilapidated buildings and overgrown lot codes and authorized Victor Gray-Lewis, director of buildings and inspections, to proceed to cut, clean and demolish properties.Accepted a letter establishing special assessment and adopted a resolution for cutting and cleaning of properties at 2504 Dot St., owned by John Benning, and 110 N. Farmer St., owned by Mary P. Winger.Approved Trent Reynolds of the gas department to be added to the employee driving list.Approved requisitions to purchase supplies for the cemetery in the amount of $28,272 from G&O Supply Co., to purchase plastic lumber for the Art Park at Catfish Row in the amount of $2,887.10 from Bedford Technology LLC.Approved purchase orders for the police department in the amount of $10,800 to MS Police Supply Co. and for the street department in the amount of $13,400 to Stribling Equipment.Authorized the city clerk to advertise sealed bids for Riverfront Park maintenance and Art Park and Crawford Street bathrooms.In an executive session, discussed 45 youth employment matters in the administration department and community service; a personnel matter in the street department; two terminations, one in animal control and another in administration; two pay adjustments in the city clerk’s office; and a real estate matter.The board will meet again June 10 at 10 a.m.