A public hearing Tuesday at Streator City Hall for an amendment to the Streator Area Enterprise Zone included a show of support from school administrators.

The enterprise zone includes the city and portions of La Salle and Livingston counties. The amendment would change the property tax incentives available in the Livingston County portion of the zone.

"This new incentive provides economic benefits for all eligible projects and allows school districts in Livingston County to abate 100 percent of property taxes available," Paul Nicholson, the Streator City Manager who acts as enterprise zone administrator, told those gathered.

Leo Johnson, superintendent of Pontiac High School District 90, voiced his support of the proposed amendments.

With the potential approval of the amendment, 100 percent of property taxes would be recovered by the school district through state aid in addition to state aid the districts normally receive.

"Bringing the windfarm project to the area will mean $20 to 25 million assessed valuation," Johnson told The Times. "This will be with us for a long time. We want to be a part of making that happen and making it grow."

Livingston County school districts in support of the amendment include Dwight High School, Dwight Grade School, Odell, Saunemin and Pontiac High.

In order for the amendment to pass, the Streator City Council and La Salle and Livingston county boards would have to approve it. The matter will be discussed at the next City Council meeting Wednesday, Oct. 21. The amendment is scheduled to be discussed Thursday, Oct. 15, in Livingston County and at a Tax Increment Finance committee meeting in La Salle County Wednesday, Oct. 28.

County Board member Jerry Myers, R-Streator, is unsure if the county will act on the matter in November. He expects the board may act on it in December or January.

"Our attorney will look it over," Myers said. "I don't see a problem with it. We don't want to stand in the way of the school district."