London City Council adopts amended TIF for 19 incentive districts, rejects small income-tax credit and approves bids for pickleball courts

At a meeting of the London City Council, members voted to adopt an amended tax-increment financing ordinance covering 19 incentive districts and approved steps to advertise for bids on four pickleball courts, while rejecting a proposed city income-tax credit for residents who work outside the city.

The council adopted Ordinance 207-24 after amending the tax-increment financing (TIF) agreement that is attached as an exhibit to the ordinance. President Peters moved to replace the existing financing agreement with a revised “hard” document and said the new text “represents, I think, the best deal for the developer as well as for the city.” Council members then approved the amendment and adopted the ordinance as amended. The TIF language identifies public infrastructure improvements that will benefit parcels inside the incentive districts, requires owners to make service payments in lieu of taxes, and establishes a fund for distribution of those payments, including authorized payments to the London City School District and to career-technical centers.

The adoption follows extended prior discussion and a multi-step amendment process during the meeting. The ordinance as adopted also names Tomcat LLC in the financing documents attached to the measure.

The council considered, but did not adopt, Ordinance 119-25, a proposal to restore a 0.25% income-tax credit for city residents who work outside the municipality. Proponents said the credit would help residents who face more vehicle wear, fuel costs and time commuting. Opponents and some council members said the city cannot afford the immediate revenue loss given…