A plan that would extend the life of the county’s westside tax increment financing district was approved Friday by the Monroe County commissioners, but not before two members of the county plan commission voiced opposition to it.

Scott Wells spoke against the plan during a Friday meeting of the commissioners, and Commissioner Julie Thomas voted against issuing $3.5 million in bonds, a move the county must make by June 30 to extend the life of the TIF beyond 2025 — the expiration date required by a new state law— to 2040 at the latest.

The plan to bond did pass the commissioners, though, with the support of Commissioners Iris Kiesling and Patrick Stoffers. Thomas also is a member of the plan commission, as is Wells.

In supporting the plan, Kiesling referred to a recent conversation with Barry Lessow, who serves as president of the county’s redevelopment commission, which initiated the request to bond and extend the life of the special taxing district. A TIF earmarks property tax revenue from new development for infrastructure improvements within that district.

“He feels this is a good investment for our community, and I agree,” she said.

The county is basically “under the gun” because of the new state law, and it needs to act, she said.

Redevelopment commission member Jim Shelton said that action needs to be about ensuring the county has flexibility in dealing with projects.

The $3.5 million bond is intended to help pay for a $4.1 million project to connect Daniels Way and Hartstrait Road, one of many projects in the original TIF plan that haven’t yet been completed, said county attorney Jeff Cockerill.
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