Warsaw Redevelopment Panel Decides To Start TIF Process

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By DAVID A. BEALL, Times-Union Staff Writer-

The Warsaw Redevelopment Commission authorized taking the initial step in declaring a second tax increment financing district on the north side of Warsaw.

The commission was given the estimated costs for the initial infrastructure improvements in the district by city planner Jeff Noffsinger.

To construct a frontage road on either side of Ind. 15 between U.S. 30 and CR 300N, an access road to the proposed sewage treatment facility, and 3,000 feet of 30-inch sewer line would cost an estimated $830,000, Noffsinger said.

"It's expensive to build roads and improve the infrastructure. But, we have an opportunity to capture enough of the increased assessment with the planned development in the area to pay for them," Noffsinger said.

He added the only planned new development is a new Lakeside Chevrolet facility, which is expected to locate north of Rice Ford, on Ind. 15. The proposed frontage road would help alleviate traffic congestion on the state highway and help provide an alternate route to the Da-Lite manufacturing plant.

Commissioner Jerry Kralis questioned whether Rice Ford was supporting the planned development.

"I'm wondering how Rice is liking this idea, with a competitor moving in right next to them," he said.

Noffsinger said that in his preliminary discussions with Rice, they have not expressed any concern about that issue.

"The next step in the process is to get an inventory of the land in the area and determine what the assessment is and who the owners are," Noffsinger said.

Tax increment financing is an instrument local governments use to encourage commercial and industrial development. The concept behind the process is to have new business development pay for the streets, sewers and water service improvements that are required for locating in a particular area.

In establishing a TIF district, the local taxing body freezes property values within the district. Bonds are then issued to make the infrastructure improvements needed to encourage and promote the development, which in turn leads to higher property tax revenues. The increase in revenue is captured and used to repay the bonds and the interest on them.

Noffsinger said he will try to have all preliminary paperwork completed and ready for the commission by its December meeting. He added that the goal is to have the TIF district declared by the March 1 deadline. [[In-content Ad]]

The Warsaw Redevelopment Commission authorized taking the initial step in declaring a second tax increment financing district on the north side of Warsaw.

The commission was given the estimated costs for the initial infrastructure improvements in the district by city planner Jeff Noffsinger.

To construct a frontage road on either side of Ind. 15 between U.S. 30 and CR 300N, an access road to the proposed sewage treatment facility, and 3,000 feet of 30-inch sewer line would cost an estimated $830,000, Noffsinger said.

"It's expensive to build roads and improve the infrastructure. But, we have an opportunity to capture enough of the increased assessment with the planned development in the area to pay for them," Noffsinger said.

He added the only planned new development is a new Lakeside Chevrolet facility, which is expected to locate north of Rice Ford, on Ind. 15. The proposed frontage road would help alleviate traffic congestion on the state highway and help provide an alternate route to the Da-Lite manufacturing plant.

Commissioner Jerry Kralis questioned whether Rice Ford was supporting the planned development.

"I'm wondering how Rice is liking this idea, with a competitor moving in right next to them," he said.

Noffsinger said that in his preliminary discussions with Rice, they have not expressed any concern about that issue.

"The next step in the process is to get an inventory of the land in the area and determine what the assessment is and who the owners are," Noffsinger said.

Tax increment financing is an instrument local governments use to encourage commercial and industrial development. The concept behind the process is to have new business development pay for the streets, sewers and water service improvements that are required for locating in a particular area.

In establishing a TIF district, the local taxing body freezes property values within the district. Bonds are then issued to make the infrastructure improvements needed to encourage and promote the development, which in turn leads to higher property tax revenues. The increase in revenue is captured and used to repay the bonds and the interest on them.

Noffsinger said he will try to have all preliminary paperwork completed and ready for the commission by its December meeting. He added that the goal is to have the TIF district declared by the March 1 deadline. [[In-content Ad]]

Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Public Occurrences 04.29.25
County Jail Bookings The following people were arrested and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail:

Warsaw BZA Approves Plasma Donation Center Lab On Detroit St.
One of the four petitions presented to the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals Monday was for a special exception for a laboratory on North Detroit Street.

Issues With Notification Mailings Appear To Be On The Rise, City Attorney Says
Issues with notifications sent out by mail reduced the number of items on the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeal’s agenda Monday from six to four.

Hoffert Talks About Possible Effects Of SB 1 On WCS
Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert told the Warsaw School Board Monday about the financial impacts of Senate Bill 1 for Warsaw Community Schools.

Elevator Shaft Takes Shape As Construction Revs Up At Union Station Lofts
The first major sign of construction, an elevator shaft, is now visible at the site of the future apartments and commercial development on the old Gatke property on McKinley Street in Warsaw.