Belleville council approves 25% TIF for Save the Girls after debate over precedent and tax base

The Belleville City Council voted Monday to approve a development agreement and 25% TIF incentive for Lang Enterprises LLC, doing business as Save the Girls, to remodel a building at 9300 West Main.

The motion to approve the development agreement, brought by Alderson Alstoff, passed following a lengthy discussion and a failed amendment to reduce the TIF to 10%. The council recorded 13 votes in favor and two votes opposed.

Council members said the project aims to retain an existing business in the city’s West End and create local jobs, but some members questioned whether the requested TIF level set a problematic precedent and whether the city’s TIF policy was being applied consistently.

“Alderson Whitaker” said the council should be cautious: “This company is asking for a 25%, TIF assistance on their project,” and he noted much of the company’s sales occur online and therefore do not generate sales tax for the city. He urged more consistent standards for future TIF awards.

City staff and other aldermen responded that TIF revenue derives from property tax increments, not sales tax. A city staff member explained that TIF is calculated on the increased assessed value of property and that the city evaluates each request on its individual merits.

Representatives of Save the Girls spoke in public comment before the vote. Tammy Trover Lang, who identified herself as the owner and a Belleville resident, said the company employs 13 people (eight full-time in Belleville) and described the business as family-owned and expanding. During council discussion, city staff reported the project currently shows seven full-time equivalents with two additional positions projected in the first year.

Council members also discussed metrics commonly included in development agreements, such as commitments for number of local employees and verification requirements. City staff said agreements typically require the developer to complete the work, provide receipts and cancelled checks, and that “clawback” provisions exist if a recipient fails to meet performance requirements.

Roll-call voting on the original 25% request produced a majority in favor; Alderson Whitaker and Alderson Schneider voted no. The motion carried.

The development agreement requires the owner to complete the remodeling work and comply with the terms recorded in the agreement; failure to meet those terms may trigger recovery actions per the agreement’s clawback provisions.

Council members also said the debate highlighted a broader need to develop clearer TIF standards and thresholds to guide future decisions.

Ending: The council approved the development agreement and the TIF assistance; staff will finalize the written agreement and monitor compliance per the city’s standard procedures.