By Debbie Carson, Online EditorSEBASTIAN — The Sebastian City Council will consider adding a tax incentive question to its ballot for the Nov. 3 Municipal Election during its regular meeting Wednesday evening. Also on the agenda is a discussion regarding a proposed ordinance that would allow city leaders to give preference to local vendors during the bid selection process.The council is scheduled to take up both issues under new business during its meeting starting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. The question on the ballot is expected to read as follows:”Shall the City Council of the City of Sebastian be authorized to grant, pursuant to s. 3, Art. VII of the State Constitution, property tax exemptions to new businesses and expansions of existing businesses?”Voters will be able to select either “Yes – For authority to grant exemptions” or “No – Against authority to grant exemptions.”Earlier this year the council discussed offering such tax exemptions in order to help stimulate the economy and encourage businesses to move into the area or expand.As for the local vendor preference issue, the council is considering enacting an ordinance that would allow local vendors the opportunity to match the low bid if they are within 5 percent of the lowest bid and if their bid is not $25,000 more than the lowest bidder.Currently, the Sebastian City Council has an ordinance that allows the council to purchast, at bid price, from local vendors if they are within 3 percent of the lowest bid, which was adopted in 2006.
