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HomeMy WebLinkAbout26-24 Confirming Resolution - Personal Property Tax Abatement for Tenneco Inc.44 CITY OF SOUTH BEND COMMUNITY -- -- -- -- ---- - INVESTMENT .---- --- ._ August 19, 2026 Council Member Karen White Chairperson, Community Investment Committee South Bend Common Council City Hall, 3rd Floor South Bend, Indiana 46601 Filed in Clerk's Office Aug 19, 2026 Bianca Tirado City Clerk, South Bend, IN RE: Confirming Resolution: Personal Property Tax Abatement for Tenneco Inc. Dear Council Member White, Please find the enclosed Confirming Resolutions and Memorandum of Agreement for a tax abatement for Tenneco Inc., a Delaware Limited Liability Company, for personal property at their South Bend facility. The total investment for this project is approximately $8.5 million in new manufacturing equipment, technology, and related improvements at its facility located at 3605 W. Cleveland Road. This investment is intended to expand the facility's production capacity and support the creation of approximately 80 new jobs in South Bend. The project meets the qualifications for a five-year (5) personal property tax abatement. A representative from Tenneco Inc. will be available to meet with the Committee on Monday, August 24, 2026. If you or other Council members have questions about the report or need additional information, please feel free to call me at (574) 235-5838. Sincerely, Erik Glavich Director, Growth and Opportunity EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT South Bend City Hall. Suite 500 215 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. South Bend, IN 46601 p 574.235.9371 www.southbendin.gov BILL NO. 26-24 RESOLUTION NO. Filed in Clerk's Office Aug 19, 2026 Bianca Tirado City Clerk, South Bend, IN A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE ADOPTION OF A DECLARATORY RESOLUTION DESIGNATING CERTAIN AREAS WITHIN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, COMMONLY KNOWN AS 3605 W. Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN 46628 AN ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION AREA FOR PURPOSES OF A FIVE-YEAR (5) PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT FOR Tenneco Inc. WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, has adopted a Declaratory Resolution designating certain areas within the City as an Economic Revitalization Area for the purpose of a personal property tax abatement consideration; and WHEREAS, a Declaratory Resolution designated the area commonly known as 3605 W. Cleveland Road, South Bend, Indiana 46628, and which is more particularly described as follows: Business Personal Property and which has Key Numbers to be assigned, be designated as an Economic Revitalization Area; and WHEREAS, notice of the adoption of a Declaratory Resolution and the public hearing before the Council has been published pursuant to Indiana Code 6-1.1-12.1-2.5; and WHEREAS, the Council held a public hearing for the purposes of hearing all remonstrances and objections from interested persons; WHEREAS, the Council has determined that the qualifications for an economic revitalization area have been met; and WHEREAS, the Council adopted Declaratory Resolution No. 5179-26 on August 10, 2026. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: SECTION I. The Common Council hereby confirms its Declaratory Resolution designating the area described herein as an Economic Revitalization Area for the purposes of tax abatement. Such designation is for personal property tax abatement only and shall expire on December 31, 2028. SECTION II. The Common Council hereby determines that the property owner is qualified for and is granted personal property tax deduction for a period of five (5) years as shown below pursuant to Indiana Code 6-1.1-12.1-17 and further determines that the petition, the Memorandum of Agreement between the Petitioner and the City of South Bend, and the Statement of Benefits comply with Chapter 2, Article 6, of the Municipal Code of the City of South Bend and Indiana Code 6-1.1-12 et seq. Year 1 - 100% Year 2 - 90% Year 3 - 80% Year 4 - 70% Year 5 - 60% SECTION III. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Common Council and approved by the Mayor. Canneth J. Lee, Council President South Bend Common Council Attest: Bianca L. Tirado, City Clerk Office of the City Clerk Presented by me, the undersigned Clerk of the City of South Bend, to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana on the day of , 2026, at o'clock .m. .m. Bianca L. Tirado, City Clerk Office of the City Clerk Approved and signed by me on the day of , 2026, at o'clock James Mueller, Mayor City of South Bend, Indiana MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT) This Memorandum of Agreement (Agreement) dated August 13, 2026, serves as confirmation of a commitment by Tenneco, Inc. (the "Applicant"), pending an August 24, 2026, public hearing, to comply with the project description, job creation, and retention (and associated wage rates and salaries) figures contained in its petition, Statement of Benefits, and attachments and this Agreement (Commitments). 1. Location of the Personal Property Subject to Tax Abatement. At the time of this Agreement, the personal property is or will be located at 3605 West Cleveland Road, South Bend, Indiana 46628, which has Key Number 71-03-21-426-001.000-009. 2. Commitments of City and Applicant. Subject to the adoption of a Declaratory Resolution and a Confirmatory Resolution by the South Bend Common Council (the "SBCC"), the City of South Bend, Indiana, (the "City") commits to provide a live -year (5) personal property tax abatement for the Applicant, based on the Applicant's commitment set forth in its Application. The Applicant commits to the following (the "Commitments"): (a) making a capital expenditure of no less than Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000.00) associated with the purchase and installation of manufacturing and information technology equipment, including welding stations, unit testing stations, and related equipment, to expand the Applicant's capabilities in the market for aftertreatment systems for commercial generators in the Commercial Truck, Off Highway, and Industry sector; (b) creating no less than eighty (80) permanent full-time jobs with a total estimated annual payroll of at least Five Million Eight Hundred Eighteen Thousand Dollars ($5,818,000.00); and (c) acting in good faith to complete the project as described in its Application. 3. Applicant's Compliance with City and State Laws. During the term of the abatement, the Applicant shall comply with Chapter 2, Article 6, of the South Bend Municipal Code, entitled "Tax Abatement Procedures," and all governing provisions of the Indiana Code. During the term of this abatement, the City may annually request information from the Applicant concerning the nature of the Project, the approved capital expenditure of the Project, the number of full-time permanent positions newly created by the Project, and the average wage rates and salaries (excluding benefits and overtime) associated with the positions, and the Applicant shall provide the City with adequate written evidence thereof within fifteen (15) days of such request (the "Annual Survey"). The City shall use this information, together with the information required to be filed annually by the Applicant through Form CF-1, Compliance with the Statement of Benefits, to verify that the Applicant has at all times complied with the Commitments throughout the duration of the abatement and for no other purpose. The Applicant further agrees to provide the City with such additional information as requested by the City to determine the Applicant's compliance with the Commitments and with local and state requirements within twenty (20) days following any such request. The Applicant expressly agrees and confirms that all information, data, documents, filings, and all other materials provided to the City in connection 1 with the Application, Statement of Benefits, Form CF-1 filings, Annual Surveys, and any other requirement of this Agreement shall be accurate, complete, and not misleading. The Applicant further confirms and agrees that it bears sole responsibility for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of all information provided to the City, regardless of whether such information originates from the Applicant or a third party. Any submission to the City of inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading information may constitute a default under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Applicant acknowledges that the City may be required to disclose certain documents provided by the Applicant as required by a court order or applicable law. 4. Substantial Compliance and Rights of Termination. The City, by and through the SBCC, reserves the right to terminate the Economic Revitalization Area designation and associated property tax abatement deductions if it reasonably determines that the Applicant has not made reasonable efforts to substantially comply with all the Commitments, as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the Applicant's failure to substantially comply with the Commitments was not due to factors beyond its reasonable control, as described in Section 5 below. 5. Factors Beyond Control. As used in this Agreement, factors beyond the control of the Applicant shall only include factors not reasonably foreseeable at the time of designation application and submission of Statement of Benefits which are not caused by any act or omission of the Applicant, and which materially and adversely affect the ability of the Applicant to substantially comply with this Agreement. The Applicant has the burden to communicate to the City any such factors in which it believes is beyond its control and impacting its ability to fulfill the terms of this Agreement or any tax abatement benefit provided to the City. The City reserves the right to investigate the factors cited by the Applicant under this Section 5 to the fullest extent possible and may deny the Applicant's request upon the completion of the City's investigation. 6. Repayment of Tax Abatement Savings. If at any time during the term of this Agreement the Applicant shall: (a) be delinquent or in default with respect to any tax payment in St. Joseph County, Indiana; or (b) cease operations at the facility for which the tax abatement was granted; or (c) announce the cessation of operations at such facility, then the City may terminate the Economic Revitalization Area designation and associated tax abatement deductions, and upon such termination, require the Applicant to repay all of the tax abatement savings received through the date of such termination. 7. Notice/Hearing of Termination. In the event that the City determines that the Economic Revitalization Area designation and associated tax abatement deductions should be terminated or that all or a portion of the tax abatement savings should be repaid, it will give the Applicant notice of such determination, including a written statement calculating the amount due from the Applicant, and will provide the Applicant with an opportunity to meet with the City's designated representatives to show cause why the abatement should not be terminated and/or the tax savings repaid. Such notice shall state the names of the person with whom the Applicant may meet and will provide that the Applicant shall have thirty (30) days from the date of such notice to arrange such meeting and to provide its evidence concerning why the abatement termination and/or tax savings repayment should not occur. If, after giving such notice and receiving such evidence, if any, the City determines that the abatement termination and/or the tax repayment action is proper, the Applicant shall be provided with written notice and a hearing before the SBCC in accordance with state and local laws and regulations before any final action shall be taken terminating the abatement and/or requiring repayment of tax benefits. 2 The Applicant shall be entitled to appeal that determination to a St. Joseph County Superior or Circuit Court. 8. Repayment. In the event the City requires repayment of the tax abatement savings as provided hereunder, it shall provide the Applicant with a written statement calculating the amount due (the "Statement"), and the Applicant shall make such repayment to the City within one hundred twenty (120) days of the date of the Statement. If the Applicant does not make timely repayment, the City shall be entitled to all reasonable costs and attorneys' fees incurred in the enforcement of this Agreement and the collection of the tax abatement savings required to be repaid hereunder. 9. Modification/Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the schedules attached hereto as Exhibit A contain the entire understanding between the City and the Applicant with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, inducements, and conditions, expressed or implied, oral, or written, except as herein contained. This Agreement may not be modified or amended other than by an agreement in writing signed by the City and the Applicant. The Applicant understands that any and all filings required to be made or actions required to be taken to initiate or maintain the abatement are solely the responsibility of the Applicant. 10. Waivers. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of the City to exercise any right, remedy, power, or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power, or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right, remedy, power, or privilege with respect to any occurrence or be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power, or privilege with respect to any other occurrence. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the party asserted to have granted such waiver. 11. Notices. All notices, requests, demands, and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been received when delivered by hand or by facsimile (with confirmation by registered or certified mail) or on the third business day following the mailing, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, thereof, addressed as set forth below: If to the Applicant: Tenneco, Inc. 3605 W. Cleveland Road South Bend, Indiana 46628 Attn: Alinane Chipwanya If to the City: City of South Bend, Indiana 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Suite 500 South Bend, Indiana 46601 Attn: Executive Director of Community Investment 12. Governing Laws of Indiana. This Agreement and all questions relating to its validity, interpretation, performance, and enforcement shall be governed by the laws and decisions of the courts of the State of Indiana. 3 13. Applicant's Consent to Jurisdiction. The Applicant hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the Courts of the State of Indiana and of the St. Joseph County Circuit or Superior Court in connection with any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any documents or instrument delivered with respect to any of the obligations hereunder, and any action related to this Agreement shall be brought in such County and in such Court. 14. Assignment and Transfer Prohibited. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the City and the Applicant and their successors and assigns, except (a) that no party may assign or transfer its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party hereto, in which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, and (b) the Applicant may assign and transfer its rights under this Agreement to the Permitted Assign without prior written consent. "Permitted Assign" means the affiliated single purpose entity created for purposes of designing, constructing, owning, operating, and maintaining the project which is the subject of this Agreement. 15. Valid and Binding Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. By executing this Agreement, each person so executing affirms that he has been duly authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of such party and that this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the party. 16. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement and of each section or other subdivision herein are independent of and separable from each other, and no provision shall be affected or rendered invalid or unenforceable by virtue of the fact that for any reason any other or others of them may be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part unless this Agreement is rendered totally unenforceable thereby. 17. No Personal Liability. No official, director, officer, employee, or agent of the City shall be charged personally by the Applicant, its employees, or its agents with any liabilities or expenses of defense or be held personally liable to the Applicant under any term or provision of this Agreement or because of the execution by such party of this Agreement or because of any default by such party hereunder. (Remainder of page intentionally blank.j 4 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written. `Applicant" Tenneco, Inc. By ALA Allen Sullivan Plant Manager proved as to Legal Adequacy and Form this p I day of At" , 2026. ounsel, South Bend Common Council ounsel for Applicant "City" City of South Bend, Indiana By: By: By: lBy: Canneth Lee President, South Bend Common Council Karen White Chairperson, Community Investment Committee Erik Glavich Department of Community Investment James Mueller Mayor 5 EXHIBIT A Abatement Schedule Subject to the adoption by the SBCC of a resolution confirming the adoption of Declaratory Resolution No. 5179-26, the property owner is qualified for and is granted a personal property tax abatement for a period of five (5) years as shown by the schedule outlined below. Year 1 - 100% Year 2 - 90% Year 3 - 80% Year4-70% Year 5 - 60% 6