The Chelsea City Council unanimously approved an about $2.667 million tax abatement for Sheridan Books for 9 years on Monday, May 5.
The company is adding new cover binding equipment, which will enable it to produce 9,500 units per hour with a 15-minute turnaround time, according to Kevin Overaitis, assistant controller for the company.
Currently, the company can produce 3,500 units for hour with a 45-minute turnaround, he said.
Sheridan Books was approved for about $166,700 in real property and about $2.5 million in personal property. Currently, the company employs 237 people and expects to add four more employees within two years of adding this equipment.
With the request approved by the city, the application will be sent to the State Tax Commission for review and final approval.
The City Council also unanimously approved the hiring of Ashley Money as its new full-time billing clerk and deputy treasurer, a position that has been unfilled since Mary Picklesimer retired in April 2013.
This is a position “our team has been counting the days” for its approval said Kim Garland, administrative director, who added that there are four members of the office staff who work very closely together.
Money has been working in a part-time capacity as an accounting assistant for the city and is going to school at the same time taking classes in accounting at Washtenaw Community College, Garland said, something that will bring new ideas to the team as well.
For the third year, the council approved a 80-20 cost share for health insurance costs across all the city’s employee groups.
And, the elected officials unanimously approved hiring Midwestern Consulting to create a 2014 Street Improvement Project plan in an amount not to exceed $17,235.
The consultants will look at Flanders and Buchanan streets as the city’s main focus as well as Filmore, Wenley and Jefferson streets.
Council Member Jim Myles was absent from the meeting.
