Deciphera deal to be discussed
The November 13 City Commission meeting will include an explanation of the recently approved package of economic development incentives for Deciphera Pharmaceuticals. Enlarge video
Deciphera Pharmaceuticals
- Probe sought over tax rebate (11-02-07)
- Deciphera looks to fast-track first drug (10-31-07)
- Bioscience firms taking root (11-01-07)
- City: Deciphera tax break not handled well (10-27-07)
- City, county may be responsible to pay $1.5M of company's grant even if it moves (10-27-07)
- Deciphera deal eluded public scrutiny (10-25-07)
City leaders want an opportunity to explain a controversial package of economic development incentives given to Deciphera Pharmaceuticals.
City Manager David Corliss said Monday that the Nov. 13 City Commission agenda will include a regular agenda item designed to answer questions about the recently approved package of economic development incentives.
The package has been criticized as being approved without receiving input from the public and for using a never-before-used tax rebate program that allows Deciphera to receive the equivalent of a tax abatement without going through the normal review process.
"We need to honestly admit our mistakes in handling the process," Corliss said. "We want to explain to the public why we think this is an excellent investment of public funds. We're going to do that, and we will be there to answer questions about it."
But Corliss said it is unlikely that city commissioners will take any action to renege on the agreement. Corliss said the agreement already was signed.
"No commissioners have asked to have a motion for reconsideration," Corliss said.
The agreement, approved at the commission's Oct. 23 meeting, includes a unique tax rebate program that essentially caps for 10 years the amount of property taxes Deciphera would pay on its East Hills Business Park headquarters and laboratory building. The tax rebate was never publicly discussed by city commissioners before they approved it at the meeting.
Commissioners, however, did discuss the tax rebate during a closed-door executive session Oct. 2. That private session has been the subject of three formal complaints filed with Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson alleging the commission violated the state's open meetings law. Grassroots Action, one of the city's larger political activism groups, announced it filed one of the complaints.
Branson has agreed to investigate those allegations. He's directed the city to provide a written response to the allegations to his office by Wednesday.
Deciphera is a start-up pharmaceuticals company working to develop drugs to fight cancer. City leaders have been eager to keep the company in Lawrence because it is seen as the type of company that can provide the city a prominent place in the biosciences industry.
Comments
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lunacydetector (anonymous) says…
though i know nothing about this supposed back room deal, on the surface of it - if a tax rebate is the only way around the protesting weirdos, by all means tax rebate away and create more jobs.
jobs are good. who can argue that?
the city should encourage tax abatements as well without some bogus living wage (oxymoron) requirement.
case in point: if some company wants to build a $20,000,000 plant on a cheap piece of farmland and we're essentially only out the cheap property tax from that cheap farmland, by all means - tax abate away - and create some jobs.
why do so many people hate good jobs? KU doesn't pay any property taxes yet the majority of protesting special interest group people are employed by KU. isn't it hypocritical for them to bitch? we pay their salaries.
lunacydetector (anonymous) says…
plumberscrack, shouldn't the facts come out first before condemning? not very 'open minded' of you to find guilt before innocence.
if these people found a way to go around the red tape and they did it legally, more power to them.
isn't the DA a "progressive" anyway?
Keith (anonymous) says…
Hey loony, those "protesting weirdos" are citizens just like you, they have the right to expect that the public's business will be held in the public eye.
oldgoof (anonymous) says…
tempest in a teapot. Nothing wrong here...other than it takes the FDA an eon to approve a drug.
OonlyBonly (anonymous) says…
Too little too late!
Only done because of the hubub over the illegal meeting & discussion.
Spin City without the laughs.
Recall! Recall! Recall!
As for Corliss, we all know you knew better. So why did you do it?
Centrist (anonymous) says…
As far as I'm concerned, if they're bringing jobs, I don't care if they pay 1c per year ..
Our illustrious city makes many mistakes .. but not this time.
Go for it.
Now let's get someone using the Farmland property too.
Centrist (anonymous) says…
Hawk .. increased jobs means increased revenue to local businesses and services, and adds to sales tax revenue, property improvements, additional housing, etc, etc, etc? It all comes around .. somehow.
ilovelucy (anonymous) says…
Let's see here.....property taxes are going up again this year by at least .170%. Property taxes will continue to rise every year if people still protest which way the wind blows.
Hawk, by protesting EVERY single thing, you'll be bitching about your taxes for the rest of your life. Without job creationism, the mill levy will continue rising.
Think man, think!
merrill (anonymous) says…
No support for tax increase no matter what you call or how you color them:
http://www2.ljworld.com/polls/2007/ap...
http://www2.ljworld.com/polls/2007/ju...
http://www2.ljworld.com/polls/2007/au...
Why is Lawrence Lagging?
http://www2.ljworld.com/polls/2007/se...
Kontum1972 (anonymous) says…
snakes they are!
twosides (anonymous) says…
Would someone please list the drugs Deciphera has created that is/are currently on the market.
jade (anonymous) says…
Hack is in bed with Deciphera. Chestnut's Allen Press is in non-compliance on its tax abatement. Chestnut and Dever took Walmart money, then voted to invite a new Walmart proposal and settle the lawsuit. Amyx and Highberger voted with Chestnut and Dever on the Deciphera deal and kept mum along with the rest about the rebate at the public meeting.
Fire 'em all. They have violated the law and betrayed the public trust.
igby (anonymous) says…
Friday the 13th meeting, I can see it now, a lot of tongue in cheek.
Amyx:
"you get out there David and lie, do what ever you have to do, this is your mistake and your ill advice on the matter"
Hack:
"Please will somebody do something, I can take this anymore", "I'll give the stock ownership back, I just want it to all go away, Please somebody help us".
Chestnut:
"I did'nt want this stupid job anyway, screw it, get out there Dave and lie like Mike says, but this better be good or you'll forfit your stocks they promised you and we'll split them up without you, and send you cookies in the federal pen".
Dever:
" I'm not giving my stocks back screw you Sue, shut up and listen to Mike, Dave get your A$$ out there or well take back your country club membership and your pension and when you get out of jail you'll have nothing. "
Boog: "I'm not hearing this, I think I need some air."
Dever:
" Shut-up Boog, and sit down now, we got to think of something "
Mike:
" get Marci Franscio, on the phone and tell her to call Fritz, we got to cancel tonights meeting about that Dam hotel"
Lol.
igby (anonymous) says…
Friday the 13th on Tuesday! Lol.
igby (anonymous) says…
Swan_diver: this will never happen, at best you might get a recall but unless another Government Agency gets involved there'll be no evidence given up to Branson's office I'm afraid.