Council introduces amendment to redevelopment code to align tax-abatement notice with state guidance

At the Sept. 9 meeting the Carthage City Council introduced Council Bill 25-64, a first reading that would amend Chapter 17, Article 7, Section 17-2-57 of the Carthage City Code to align the city’s redevelopment/abatement procedures with state practice under Chapter 353. A budget committee member explained the ordinance adds two primary changes: a requirement that notices be sent not less than 15 days before a public hearing to all taxing districts that could be affected, and explicit language that interested persons and political subdivisions have the opportunity to be heard on any tax abatement or exemption. The committee report, presented to the full council, said the language change was prompted by legal review from Gilmore & Bell and by local projects that may seek the Chapter 353 abatement tool. The committee emphasized the amendment does not otherwise change the city’s redevelopment authority or the substantive criteria for declaring property blighted. Council members discussed the ordinance at first reading; the measure was framed as a technical update to ensure the city’s code matched state procedures and to make stakeholder notice explicit. The bill was introduced for first reading; no final vote or adoption was recorded in the Sept. 9 meeting. Clarifying details provided in committee: the notice provision requires distribution “not less than 15 days before a public hearing” to all affected taxing districts; section 3(b) now states that all interested persons and political subdivisions will have the opportunity to be heard on a grant of tax abatement or exemption. Council members said the change was recommended after attorney review to make the city’s ordinance consistent with state practice and to address concerns raised by potential redevelopment applicants. The first reading means the city will return the item for additional consideration; if approved at later readings, the ordinance will formalize the notice and hearing procedures for future Chapter 353 abatement requests.