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School board backs city TID amendments, approves creation of new Voigt/Boyd Farm district
Summary
The Madison School Board directed its representative to the City of Madison Joint Review Board to support several 2025 tax incremental district (TID) project-plan amendments and voted to create a new TID for the Voigt/Boyd Farm area, approving most measures unanimously and one amendment on a 6–1 vote.
The Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education on July 28 voted to direct its representative on the City of Madison Joint Review Board to support 2025 project-plan amendments for multiple tax incremental districts (TIDs) and to approve creation of a new TID for the Voigt (Boyd Farm) area.
Board members voted to support amendments to TID No. 42 (Wingra), No. 45 (Capital Square West), No. 48 (Regent Street), and No. 53 (West Wilson Street) and to support creation of a new TID No. 55 (Voigt/Boyd Farm). The motion on the TID 48 amendment passed 6–1; the other TID votes recorded in the meeting passed unanimously. Student representative Claire Lee cast the advisory aye on all motions.
Board members and staff described the TID amendments as adjustments centered on increased project costs and, in some cases, changes in the geographic scope of public infrastructure work. Staff explained that the TID 48 amendment raised financing for the TID from about $6.5 million to $7.1 million and increased the district total projected cost from about $34.6 million to $35.6 million; two specific additions highlighted in the discussion were approximately $1.2 million for South Park Street utility improvements and $845,000 for the West Washington Southwest Commuter Path.
Board member Muldrow pressed staff on whether the cost increases reflected project scope expansion or inflation and asked whether further changes should be expected. A staff speaker identified as Bob said costs can change for reasons including project scope changes, utilities work, unexpected site issues and additional development in the area; he said some TIDs remain open for a decade or more, during which costs and plans may change.
Board member VanderMeelen announced she would vote against the TID 48 amendment, saying she was not confident she could vote for an amendment without a clearer explanation of how the additional funds would be used. Vice President Maya Pearson said she would present the board's vote to the Joint Review Board but that the JRB and other city review bodies also participate in TID approvals.
On the new TID 55 for the Voigt/Boyd Farm area, staff indicated the plan includes development loans and land acquisition totaling about $8.6 million. Staff noted the recommendation lists development loans of about $3.9 million and described a mix of market-rate and low-income housing tax credit units in the design, though exact subsidy or affordability details will be decided in later project phases and in city review processes.
The motions direct Vice President Maya Pearson to vote on the amendments and creation at the City of Madison Joint Review Board. Board members said the JRB vote is one stop in a broader city review process that includes plan commission and other approvals; staff committed to raising follow-up questions with city staff at the JRB meeting.
What this means: TID amendments adjust the amounts available for public infrastructure and site work in developing areas; if a TID’s project raises assessed value as planned, taxing jurisdictions share later increases in equalized value. Board members emphasized that future financial or scope changes could return to the board for additional review.
The board adjourned after the votes.
