County retains tax abatement ‘tool’

Tax abatements have been a volatile issue for Kendall County — and will remain that way, for the time being.

The Kendall County Commissioners Court Monday declined to eliminate or restrict the tax abatement process, despite recent efforts by energy companies to use abatements on properties within the county.

“I think we need to look at tax abatement policy as a tool in our toolbox. It’s something that’s used extremely sparingly,” County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said. “If we don’t have it on the books, it takes us out of the game. It just keeps out options available. But it doesn’t hurt us to have it on the books.”