07-11-16 Community Investment - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Committeemember Davis asked for a flyer or something else he can hand out or put on the website, because he wants to make sure that constituents have the information they need about the great programs that are being offered. He also asked what we may have to cut regarding the TIF analysis. He was reminded of meetings with Attorney Richard Hill, when he talked about the gray areas of the General Budget that can be covered with the TIF dollars. He wants to know what we can pay small percentages of from TIF dollars. Mr. Pawlowski stated that this year they are looking at possible contenders for what can be taken from TIF funds, and the Council will end up seeing those ideas soon. Committeemember William Smith asked Mr. Pawlowski about his ideas for business incentives. Mr. Pawlowski stated that they work closely with the Chamber of Commerce in St. Joseph County and we really just have to have the sense for when a certain market can bear certain conditions. Now, the door is just open to be looking at that, but he wouldn't want to speculate about what exactly we are going to do. There are cities in Indiana that use it specifically for infrastructure purposes, and there are other cities that will use it for anything they can legally use it for. The range is so vast, and we are just now beginning to look at that. There are cities that have done a good job of doing bonding type activities, so that is also something we can look at. Committeemember Smith asked if we are looking at expanding data sources that will help us analyze the TIF funds. Mr. Pawlowski stated that there are key metrics that the Department of Community Investment keeps in terms of private and public investment and jobs. In partnership with the Office of Innovation, the department is looking at where the growth is occurring. Committeemember Smith asked if homeowners can do the work on their own and still be reimbursed rather than having to get a contractor. Ms. Meyer stated that the Department of Community Investment could look into that, but also explained that there would be added staff time involved in order to make sure the repairs that are being paid for are actually being done. President Scott stated that the investment in our community needs to be looked at on the neighborhood side. There are a lot of great programs coming out of the Department of Community Investment, but we aren't advertising them like we could be, and that's what we need. We'll put those links on our website so we can send them to a specific link on our page when we are talking to people out in the community. The Carpenters and Plumbers Unions have mentioned that they have retirees who would be willing to volunteer and help this program. We need to keep people from letting their homes slide into disrepair after they've purchased them, and one way to do that is to help people with their budgets.