§ 126-1. Exemption of local tax on electric energy used by qualified businesses in the Immokalee Enterprise Zone.

(a)

Title and citation. This section shall be known and cited as the "Collier County Exemption of Electricity Sales Tax for Energy Used in Enterprise Zone."

(b)

Intent and purpose. The intent of this section is:

(1)

Any business located within the Immokalee Enterprise Zone shall be eligible to receive an exemption of utility tax imposed by the county on the purchase of electrical energy if such business is a qualified business under the provisions of F.S. § 212.08, and is determined to be eligible for the exemption by the department of revenue.

(2)

To receive the exemption, a business must file an application with the Immokalee Enterprise Zone Development Agency on a form provided by the Florida Department of Revenue. A qualified business may receive the benefit herein provided for a period of five years from the billing period beginning not more than 30 days following notification to Lee County Electric Cooperative or other qualified business which has been granted an exemption under F.S. § 212.08(15), shall be entitled to full benefit of that exemption as if expiration had not occurred on that date. Notwithstanding the expiration reference above, if a subsequent audit conducted by the Florida Department of Revenue determines that the business did not meet the criteria mandated in F.S. § 212.08(15)(d), the amount of taxes exempted pursuant to this section shall immediately be due and payable to the Florida Department of Revenue by the business, together with the appropriate interest and penalty, computed from the due date of each bill for the electrical energy purchased as exempt under this paragraph.

(Ord. No. 97-15, §§ 1, 2, 3-25-97)