The Ironton Port Authority may have another piece of bait to lure in new businesses.

The volunteer entity will have a new tool if Ironton City Council passes an ordinance that will have its first reading at tonight's meeting.

Approximately 17 acres of the land formerly owned by Honeywell near the intersection of South Third and Lorain streets would become the property of the IPA should the measure pass. The land is designated as part of the South Ironton Industrial Park.

IPA Chairman Bill Dickens said that having the land in its possession would give the port authority something to work with when attempting to draw in local businesses.

&#8221It's so if we could put a deal together to build a spec building, or if somebody would come along and want us to build them a building, or to acquire the land to build a building, this puts us a step ahead,“ Dickens said.

&#8221We won't have to go back to council. We're positioned to deal with it, and when it comes to economic development today, you want to be able to act as expeditiously as possible.“

The land is adjacent to the building currently being leased to Aluminastics, LLC.

Also during tonight's meeting, a plan to repeal the combined sewer overflow fee and replace it with a flat, $4-per parcel charge is expected to receive its second reading.

Also receiving a second reading is an ordinance granting a 50-percent reduction in storm water management service charge on each lot for which the owner receives the Homestead Exemption.

The Homestead Exemption is a statewide program that offers a reduction in real property and manufactured home taxes to low-income seniors and disabled people in Ohio.

Receiving its third reading will be an ordinance changing the 2005 city budget. The changes would reflect, amongst other things, approximately $100,000 less than was projected in revenue.

The meeting will be

at 6 p.m. today in the council's chambers at the Ironton City Center.