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06-23-08 Common Council Minutes
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06-23-08 Common Council Minutes
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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 23, 2008 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />such a narrow view of Tax Incremental Financing, as what has been said this evening, <br />there would not be the kind of development in Mishawaka that they have. He stated that <br />City is looking at a serious cash crunch with respect to real estate taxes in St. Joseph <br />County, and are one of two counties that are exempted from the caps that were enacted. <br />As a commercial owner, he understands what that has done to his taxes on his properties; <br />they have gone up 150 % in one case and 135 % in another case, in just one year. This is <br />a very serious problem, an immediate problem and a problem that we all have to face. In <br />particular in St. Joseph County, many of the other counties don’t have this problem. <br />What has to be done is create more tax base. Portage Prairie is an ideal area to create that <br />tax base. The prioritizing of LaSalle Square and the Studebaker Corridor are going to <br />remain in tact. He urged the Council to act as statesmen tonight and look to the future <br />because unless we start importing actual commercial properties that pay property taxes in <br />this area and only continue to import non-profits in this area, the City if going to be out of <br />tax revenues. He noted that the Council needs to look to the future and give credence to <br />the fact that it is impossible to develop this project and the scope of this project without <br />and interchange on the by-pass which is a very expensive proposition. He stated that he <br />hates to keep using Mishawaka as an example, but everyone can see what they have done <br />out there with the use of TIF funds. <br /> <br />Mr. Jerry Niezgodski, 2910 Bonds Avenue, South Bend, stated that he can’t believe that <br />he is here tonight to speak in favor of this bill. He stated that he is probably going to <br />make a few people angry, but he has done a lot of sole searching about this. He stated <br />that LaSalle Square is in the heart of his neighborhood and is very concerned about future <br />funding. But the more he thought about this, he kept thinking about the future. He is <br />concerned about LaSalle Square and is very thankful that the language is being added to <br />commit to LaSalle Square. This is an investment, and this area needs to be invested in. <br />He noted that he is usually a proponent to any development outside of the inner-city. Mr. <br />Niezgodski stated that he is looking into the future and does not want South Bend to miss <br />an opportunity for future growth and expansion, because development will just go <br />somewhere else. He stated that a lot of communities are doing the same thing and <br />moving quickly because of House Bill 1001 and if you think long term this is a good <br />investment. He noted that he is concerned with some of the revenue; perhaps in the <br />future if legally possible after this development is built out it could be its own TIF <br />District. He doesn’t want this project to stop and sacrifice a future that is out there and <br />the future revenue stream that will come with the development. Mr. Niezgodski stated <br />that he doesn’t want to see South Bend lose out on this opportunity and have the <br />development go to Mishawaka or to Portage, Indiana. He urged the Council to vote in <br />favor of this Resolution. <br /> <br />The following individuals spoke in opposition: <br /> <br />Ms. Linda Wolfson, 809 Park Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she has worked <br />with a lot of people who are very dedicated to building a vibrant community in South <br />Bend. These people are visionaries; they are not stuck in the present and are looking to <br />the future, but have very legitimate concerns and questions about the particular action <br />that is being considered tonight. That action is the use of Tax Increment Financing in this <br />situation. In the past she has applauded some views and positions that have been taken, <br />especially when the Airport Economic Development TIF was expanded to include some <br />areas of the city that had been neglected. She stated that was a very righteous decision, a <br />correct decision. There was a source of revenues available that could be used to build the <br />infrastructure that would attract the kind of economic development that is needed in areas <br />of the city where people have access to jobs, the people that need the jobs could get the <br />jobs. That is only beginning and is absolutely laudable that the Council has changed the <br />proposal as to protect that particular use of the revenue. However, this particular use of <br />tax increment financing does not come without a price, the price is revenue streams that <br />are attached, limited, that could only be used for infrastructure. Even if there are little <br />things done to expand, they are basically to be used for infrastructure, a kind of <br />development as complex as being described will take a tremendous number public safety <br />individuals. TIF funding cannot be used for public safety individuals. The stations can <br />be built, you might be able to buy a fire truck, but you cannot pay the fireman or the <br />policeman. There is already a situation where libraries are closed on the weekend that is <br /> 28 <br /> <br />
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