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Public raises alarm over proposed Lakeview TIF capture during Battle Creek hearing
Summary
A public hearing on an amendment to the Lakeview Downtown Development Authority tax-increment financing plan drew a resident's warning that a proposed 35% tax capture over 35 years could divert an estimated $46 million from local services.
The Battle Creek City Commission held a public hearing Sept. 2 on a proposed amendment to the tax-increment financing development plan for the Lakeview Downtown Development Authority (LVDA). The hearing was opened and closed after public comment.
Joe Harris, a resident who identified himself during the hearing, urged commissioners to consider the fiscal impact of a proposed 35% capture of property taxes within the district. Harris said: “What this plan proposes is that there's going to be a 35% capture of property taxes from Battle Creek City residents, Calhoun County as a whole, KCC, and 100% of the tax. Now, what this means is that you're going to have 35% less resources to work with in those specific areas.”
Harris projected the 35% capture over a 35-year period could equate to roughly $46,000,000, saying: “Over a 35 year plan, that 35 year property taxes capture equates to over 30 or $46,000,000. That's $46,000,000 that could be used for a lot of other things.” He warned the capture could reduce resources for police, fire, water, roads and other services.
The public hearing record shows the commission opened the hearing, accepted Mr. Harris's comments and, finding no further public comment, closed the hearing. No formal vote on adopting an amendment to the LVDA tax-increment financing plan was recorded at the meeting.
Next steps: The LVDA amendment, if brought forward for a formal vote, will require staff analysis and further public notice. The commission did not adopt or reject the amendment at this meeting; the hearing was to receive public comment.
What the hearing does and does not show: A public commenter's projections and policy recommendations were recorded in the hearing; those projections are attributed to Mr. Harris and the transcript. The commission did not adopt any taxing changes at the meeting.
