to speak to the committee ….
to speak to the committee about TIF districts.
“I just want us to be aware that there are other avenues to explore TIF districts and the impacts on the county,” he said.
Supervisor Robinson, however, said county officials need to “educate ourselves” about the impact of TIF districts, and that requires more than just one or two presentations in front of the board. He said a task force also allows outside parties to participate in the discussion.
“I think that’s a long and deliberative process,” he said.
Every TIF district is overseen by a joint review board (JRB), which is made up of representatives from all the taxing jurisdictions that agree to give up new tax revenue during the life of the district. Finance director Kristi Palmer normally represents the county on JRBs.
Supervisor Gibbs said one of the task force’s goals would be to provide guidance and direction to its JRB representative when it comes to voting on TIF expansions and extensions.
Supervisor Lemmer, who helped write the failed proposal for the energy task force, said she struggled with the idea of trying to get another task force approved when other supervisors are opposed to “increasing government.”
“I don’t understand why we couldn’t have our finance team write a white paper on TIFs, so we can get educated, and then bring our information to our HRFP meetings,” she said.
Still, Robinson said it’s worth pitching the task force idea to the full board, in the hopes that supervisors will see the need to study an issue that affects $1 billion in property value.
“Quite honestly, the thing about the county board is, consistency lasts until the next vote,” he said.
Other business
n The committee voted to seize four tax-delinquent properties, including three in Mosinee and one in Edgar, located along North Fifth Avenue at the intersection with Elm Street. The .78-acre parcel was previously owned by the Edgar Land Company, and it’s believed that it was originally platted for an extension of Elm Street.
Robinson said the county has “eaten” $55,000 in unpaid back taxes from the four properties, as the money is no longer recoverable after 10 years. The Edgar property alone has cost the county $3,500 to date, with another $800 going unpaid every year.
n Corporation counsel Michael Puerner discussed his proposed changes to county ordinances dealing with tax-delinquent property seizures. Committee members recommended getting rid of a provision that gives former property owners a 60-day window to re-purchase their land before it is sold at auction.
n As part of the ongoing discussion on next year’s budget, Robinson said he has invited human resources director Molly Adzic to speak to the committee about the benefits offered to county employees.
