Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Commission reviews development incentives including IRBs, TIF, RHID and special benefit districts
Summary
City consultants reviewed industrial revenue bonds, constitutional tax abatements, TIF, RHID, community improvement districts and special benefit districts, outlining uses, statutory requirements and local policy limits. Commissioners asked about developer guarantees after a past subdivision default.
The Ottawa City Commission on April 9 heard a staff-led review of the economic development incentive tools the city can use to encourage commercial, industrial and residential growth.
The presentation, led by Bruce Kimmel of Eller's and bond attorney Tyler Ellsworth, outlined how each tool works and noted legal and policy constraints the city currently applies. Bruce Kimmel summarized the practical limits the city uses, saying the city’s policy “is that that minimum issuance size needs to be at least $2,000,000.”
The discussion covered several tools commonly used in Kansas. Industrial revenue bonds (IRBs) can provide a sales tax exemption on construction materials and, in some cases, a property tax abatement; the city’s current policy allows up to a 50% abatement for up to 10 years with additional considerations in specific situations. Constitutional tax abatements serve projects that fall outside IRB eligibility; Kimmel…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
