Sysco: 11 days and counting      

[JUNE 21, 2005]  Officials are breathing easier as loose ends that will bring the Robert Sysco Inc. warehouse/distribution center to Lincoln are coming together, and on time. City attorney Bill Bates, who has been instrumental in all the legal and organizational aspects of the project, said, "I would like to tell the city, you will be ready by June 30. I don't know if it's going to happen, but we're going to do our part." Contracts are circulating around the country at this time, he said.

The city and county will be borrowing $900,000 in the form of debt certificates to finance the project. However, those funds will not be available immediately. So, at last night's meeting Lincoln completed additional intergovernmental agreements to borrow short-term money that will move the project forward in a timely manner. The city will borrow $717,790, the amount needed now from the city and county. Of that amount, $30,000 is needed for a down payment on the land this week.

If possible, the city will avoid the loan. They can do this if they can find a fund with a sufficient balance and do an inter-fund transfer and if it is found to be legal to do so. City treasurer Les Plotner was asked to look into this.

It was the second time in a week that simultaneous meetings yielded commitments toward the Fortune 100 company. Last Thursday the Lincoln Planning Commission recommended rezoning of the property that will be used, while the Logan County Board tentatively approved the additional intergovernmental agreements. The county will purchase the land and sell it to Sysco for $1 per acre.

Lincoln has taken the responsibility of supplying roads, sewer, electric and gas service infrastructure to the site.

While the city met last night, the West Lincoln-Broadwell school board formalized its commitment to a 10-year tax abatement for the company.

The city of Lincoln agreed last night to follow the recommendation that the city planning commission made on Thursday to change the land zoning from County Ag to City I-1 and to annex in the Cronin property into Lincoln city limits, pending the purchase of the land and progression of the Sysco agreement.

Mayor Beth Davis thanked city attorney Bill Bates for his efforts, saying, "You've gone way beyond anything asked of you." Bates has drafted and coordinated all the local agreements.

The meeting was adjourned till next week for the purpose of approving any remaining or incomplete Sysco details.

The county is expected to approve all its Sysco agreements at tonight's board meeting.

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