Officials Say Ind. 15 TIF Would Benefit County, Leesburg
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Teresa [email protected]
The commissioners agreed to support the establishment of a tax increment financing district from the Warsaw city limits to the town limits of Leesburg along Ind. 15 and, at a certain point, to divert revenue from the district to the town.
TIF districts are one vehicle used by government entities to improve a specific area and divert property taxes to pay for those improvements.[[In-content Ad]]Last year the county agreed to pay $350,000 to increase the sewer line size from Levi Lee Road, Warsaw, to Leesburg so current and future developments along Ind. 15 would have sewer service.
The TIF district will be established about one-half mile on either side of Ind. 15.
Landis said cooperation between the state, city, county and the town has been exceptional.
Leesburg is under an Indiana Department of Environmental Management mandate to install a sewer system throughout the town. The town has opted for a grinder system for businesses and residences. The sewage will be treated by Warsaw's wastewater treatment plant at CR 150W.
The town will invest about $4.4 million in the project with $600,000 for a sewer line. Without the increase from the county, the pipe would be just large enough to serve Leesburg's population.
Town officials are in the process of applying for $500,000 from Indiana Rural Development, Landis said, and securing easements.
"You don't have to be a developer to know the availability of a sewer service will accelerate growth," Landis said.
He said it will take years before the town receives any money and is paid back its investment.
"Hopefully, by partnering with the county in a TIF district, we can keep the sewer rates in Leesburg, which are $70 per month, at least steady," he said.
Commissioner President Ron Truex said since the request is for the county to recoup its money first, he didn't see any problem with the proposal.
Commissioners Brad Jackson and Bob Conley agreed. County attorney Mike Miner said such an agreement could be formed.
A formal recommendation will be forwarded to the Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission, which would oversee the establishment of the TIF district and approve expenditures from the area.
The commissioners agreed to support the establishment of a tax increment financing district from the Warsaw city limits to the town limits of Leesburg along Ind. 15 and, at a certain point, to divert revenue from the district to the town.
TIF districts are one vehicle used by government entities to improve a specific area and divert property taxes to pay for those improvements.[[In-content Ad]]Last year the county agreed to pay $350,000 to increase the sewer line size from Levi Lee Road, Warsaw, to Leesburg so current and future developments along Ind. 15 would have sewer service.
The TIF district will be established about one-half mile on either side of Ind. 15.
Landis said cooperation between the state, city, county and the town has been exceptional.
Leesburg is under an Indiana Department of Environmental Management mandate to install a sewer system throughout the town. The town has opted for a grinder system for businesses and residences. The sewage will be treated by Warsaw's wastewater treatment plant at CR 150W.
The town will invest about $4.4 million in the project with $600,000 for a sewer line. Without the increase from the county, the pipe would be just large enough to serve Leesburg's population.
Town officials are in the process of applying for $500,000 from Indiana Rural Development, Landis said, and securing easements.
"You don't have to be a developer to know the availability of a sewer service will accelerate growth," Landis said.
He said it will take years before the town receives any money and is paid back its investment.
"Hopefully, by partnering with the county in a TIF district, we can keep the sewer rates in Leesburg, which are $70 per month, at least steady," he said.
Commissioner President Ron Truex said since the request is for the county to recoup its money first, he didn't see any problem with the proposal.
Commissioners Brad Jackson and Bob Conley agreed. County attorney Mike Miner said such an agreement could be formed.
A formal recommendation will be forwarded to the Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission, which would oversee the establishment of the TIF district and approve expenditures from the area.
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