At the recent open house for Mike Anderson, Evansville Mayoral candidate, after reviewing his background in construction and the problems of restoration with the current Historic Preservation scheme in Evansville, Mike was asked about the downtown.
Mike responded, " We have to do something with the downtown. It does not have to be restoration. Restoration may not make economic sense. I have seen many of these buildings. To me, it does not add up as to restoration." (rough quote)
The first three TIF projects under TIF #5 have provided ZERO TIF increment. That means it is not a WIN for the taxpayer. Positive TIF increment is assumed in the financial advisors projection for success for the district.
What would you do as mayor to ensure that in your appointments to the RDA, Redevelopment Authority that commissioners adhered to the guidlines of TIF so the taxpayer interests of Evansville citizens were protected?
Ok candidates. You make the call. The comment line is open.
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Zero for Nelson Young fence, Zero for the Economy Store, Zero for the Farnsworth facade improvements. If you have numbers find them. All the minutes reflect is zeros.
ReplyDeleteThe question here is: what would I do as Mayor to ensure the tax payer interests of Evansville's citizens were protected specifically where the TIF district is concerned?
ReplyDeleteAs Mayor I would never tire of pointing out that under my leadership the citizens of Evansville have as much power and influence as they care to exercise.
Specifically for the TIF district, currently the RDA can only investigate TIF applications and recommend to Council disbursement of TIF funds. If the RDA finds a TIF application does not meet the guidelines, then they can reject it and the project stops there. If on the other hand, the RDA finds the project to be worthy of TIF funds, then the recommendation moves to Council where the Aldermen vote on it.
So in that the final decision of tax money disbursement lies with elected officials, there is citizen involvement built in. This was gently discouraged when the RDA was formed since some decisions may not be politically comfortable. All of the Aldermen and Mayor Ringhand firmly held the position that where tax money is concerned, elected officials need to have the final say so that there is accountability to the citizens.
As Mayor I would be happy to expand on that to include public hearings at Council before TIF disbursements are voted on, if public hearings are not adopted by the RDA. If you have other suggestions or recommendations, I am always interested to hear them.
Thank you,
Karen Aikman