ATTRACTING AN AUDIENCE … The Delta Village Council drew a larger crowd than usual at its last meeting, where the main topic of conversation was again tax abatements.
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
Despite a high turnout and four prior consecutive meetings where the topic was discussed, potential changes to Delta’s Community Reinvestment Area tax abatement zone was again tabled by the village council during its meeting Monday.
Included among the nearly 20 attendees were Delta Local School District Superintendent Jon Burke and school board members Tim Ford and Jeff Lintermoot.
School district funding is directly affected by property tax abatements, and part of the potential changes to the zone could give the district more power in negotiations with developers.
During the meeting Village Administrator Andy Glenn presented three options for the zone – one removing all existing residential housing areas from the zone, one removing only parcels which have not been developed, and one removing only a small portion off Adrian Street where a housing development is being planned.
That housing development and a fear the developer would apply for and thus automatically receive a 10-year, 100 percent tax abatement due to the zone sparked consideration of the zone’s alteration.
Glenn has recommended using a tax increment financing (TIF) district in the area of the new development. Through it, the village would cover the cost of infrastructure to entice a developer, later clawing back those costs through taxes.
In the end council members chose to leave the matter tabled while they look over the three proposals and decide what route they want to take.
OTHER BUSINESS
The council gave final approval on first reading to a trio of items, including an authorization for the Ohio Department of Transportation to complete a resurfacing project within village limits and an authorization for the village to participate in the ODOT road salt contract.
The third item involved the allocation of tax funds. Previously, 70 percent of the funds went to the general fund for general operating expenses, 27 percent went to capital improvements, equipment, maintenance and enlargement of municipal services, and 3 percent went to the park fund.
Under the new guidelines, 46 2/3 percent will go to the general fund, 18 percent will be available for council appropriation for maintenance, new equipment, extension and enlargement of municipal services and facilities, and capital improvements, 33 1/3 percent will be earmarked “for the financing, construction, maintenance, operation and improvement of the municipal waterworks system, and the remaining two percent will go to the park fund.
Council member Lynn Frank questioned whether the changes would affect the official actions taking place in the background regarding previous funding for the water plant, among other questions. “Nothing they do on this will affect the investigation,” Glenn said.
The council ended the public portion of the meeting by going into executive session “to consider the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee or public official.” No action was expected as a result of the session.
The next regular meeting of the council will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 6, 2024 at 401 Main Street in Delta.