The Common Council on Oct. 7 referred to the Committee of the Whole a CDA-proposed amendment to the neighborhood Tax Incremental District (TID) infrastructure funding policy that would expand permitted uses of the 25% infrastructure allocation to include purchase/renovation/acquisition of blighted or strategic property, clean-sweep private property improvements, and other neighborhood-improvement items.

Alder Audra Weidner led the request to refer the CDA recommendation for fuller council review, saying the proposed changes substantially alter the policy council approved when neighborhood TIDs were created and that the public and full council should be able to vet the changes. Weidner said the original plan allocated 25% of neighborhood TID increment to public infrastructure (streets, alleys, sewers, ADA work, broadband) and that the CDA’s proposal reassigns significant discretionary authority to the CDA to use TID funds for private-property clean-up and acquisition.

Supporters of referral said Committee of the Whole provides more time and an opportunity for all alderpersons to question staff and subject-matter experts; some alderpersons argued instead the item belonged in Finance & Personnel because it includes fiscal policy. An attempted amendment to refer the item to Finance & Personnel failed in committee votes, and the council then voted (12-2) to send it to Committee of the Whole for a fuller presentation and discussion.

Key points from council discussion: Alder Weidner said several neighborhood TID grants had been altered this year and criticized staff screening of applicants without committee review; Director Williams said staff reported higher grant volumes this year and that the department had followed public-input goals when allocating funds. Multiple alderpersons asked for a clearer accounting of how TID funds have been spent and how the proposed policy changes would affect alley and street maintenance versus acquisition and clean-sweep activity.

Council action: motion to refer the CDA neighborhood TID infrastructure funding policy changes to the Committee of the Whole carried (12-2). The committee referral will provide time for departments, CDA members and alderpersons to present a fuller, public explanation of the proposed policy changes and their budgetary effects.

Why it matters: Neighborhood TIDs direct property-tax increment into local improvement projects; changes to the permitted uses of the 25% infrastructure share could direct substantial sums toward property acquisition, clean-sweep programs and private-property improvements rather than exclusively public infrastructure repairs. Several alderpersons asked for a fiscal accounting and a more robust public vetting before any policy change is finalized.