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Delaware County waives TIF compensation as Sunbury agrees to spend proceeds on infrastructure for Woodland Lake
Summary
Delaware County commissioners approved an agreement with the City of Sunbury resolving the county's objection to a Woodland Lake tax-increment financing district by requiring the city to spend service payment proceeds on specified public infrastructure rather than paying compensation to the county.
The Delaware County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement July 14 that resolves the county's objection to the City of Sunbury's Woodland Lake tax-increment financing (TIF) district by requiring the city to spend service-payment proceeds on public infrastructure instead of paying compensation to the county.
Erica Stettler, deputy county administrator and general counsel, told commissioners the agreement “provides an opportunity for the county to, provide an objection, which we did, and we negotiated this agreement with the City of Sunbury to resolve that objection.” She said the city “obligation [is] to spend the proceeds of the service payments on the public infrastructure improvements” and that “there's no actual compensation coming to the county. It's just, we'll waive that compensation.”
The agreement directs funds toward extension of 4 Winds Drive, Sunbury Parkway and related improvements. Commissioner Jeff Benton emphasized the project’s connection to a larger transportation plan, saying the funding will contribute “the source of funding, partially for the infrastructure, related to the second interchange at, at 71 And 36, now, Sunbury Parkway as well.” Benton and Commissioner Gary Merrill both voted aye on the resolution (25-510).
The county’s staff said construction on the second interchange is expected to begin imminently and that the work has been bid; a groundbreaking on a related road project on Wilson Road is planned later this month. Officials framed the interchange as important for economic development and traffic relief, with Benton adding that the interchange will “provide economic development as well as traffic, easing and alternative, access to 71.”
The action before the board was limited to approving the settlement agreement with Sunbury; Stettler and staff said the agreement does not require the county to receive cash compensation but ensures the city will apply the TIF service-payment proceeds to the listed public infrastructure projects. Commissioners said they expect staff and the city to monitor the spending to ensure it matches the agreement.
The resolution passed unanimously among commissioners present; Commissioner Barb Lewis was absent.
