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Council bars nonprofit eligibility in North TIRZ, approves three downtown improvement grants
Summary
San Angelo council voted to remove nonprofit eligibility from the north Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) and approved three private projects in the south TIRZ totaling about $181,870 for facade, canopy and fire‑suppression work.
The San Angelo City Council on May 6 voted to remove nonprofit organizations from eligibility to receive tax‑increment (TIRZ) incentive funding in the north TIRZ and approved funding for three private projects in the south TIRZ.
After legal review and staff presentations on TIRZ statutes, interim city attorney Brandon Dyson told council that state law and the city’s adopted project plan do not expressly prohibit nonprofit participation, but historically TIRZ monies have been used for public‑infrastructure improvements that stimulate private investment. Council debated whether nonprofits — which typically do not pay property taxes — should be eligible for incentives designed to increase taxable value in a zone.
By a 6–1 vote council directed staff to remove nonprofit eligibility from the north TIRZ. The council also discussed broader policy questions about whether the TIRZ program should refocus on streetscape and infrastructure projects; some councilmembers asked staff to return with proposals during upcoming budget and planning work sessions to prioritize public infrastructure in the zone.
Separately the council approved three south‑TIRZ private grants recommended by the TIRZ board. The awards and project summaries are:
- 19 East Concho (former Marshall Pint building): $75,000 requested for a fire‑suppression (sprinkler) installation tied to a larger $225,000 rehabilitation project. - 123 North Chadbourne: $31,008.70 for painted signage, awning restoration, door upgrades and a mural as part of a $44,003.50 project. - 206–210 South Chadbourne: $75,000 for canopy/signage, exterior paint and historic tile restoration as part of a $113,000 renovation.
The three approvals total $181,870.03 in TIRZ funds and leave an available south‑TIRZ balance in the account for future projects, staff said. Councilmembers who supported barring nonprofits in the north said the program’s purpose is to grow taxable property values and that the TIRZ should more directly fund infrastructure to catalyze broader private investment. Opponents argued nonprofits can help stabilize neighborhoods and improve properties.
Ending: Council’s actions change north‑zone eligibility immediately and fund three downtown private renovation projects; staff was asked to return with options to align future TIRZ spending more closely with infrastructure priorities.
