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Commissioner objects to proposed TIF-style funding for development; warns of budget pressures
Summary
A commissioner criticized a proposed approach to fund development with tax-increment-style assistance (referred to as 'TIF/TIFF'), saying the practice could shift costs to other entities and taxpayers and create unhealthy competition among developers.
An unnamed Cowlitz County commissioner expressed strong opposition to using tax-increment-style funding to subsidize private development, saying the approach risks shifting costs to other local entities and taxpayers and could create competitive distortions.
“At the heart of it, our complaint is with the way they wanna fund that is just really just don't think it's right that you take it from others,” the commissioner said, referencing a conversation with Jennifer Kean. The commissioner said their objection is not to local development itself: “We don't we want them to develop their stuff… We wanna see it developed down there. We wanna see and be prosperous, but I I can't live with that that kind of funding where it takes, from the other entities.”
The commissioner warned that one instance would lead to more such arrangements: “If when that starts 1, there'll be 2, there'll be 3, there'll be 4. And then how do we deal with all that budget pressure and the effects on the taxpayers?” they asked.
The remarks followed a prior exchange between the commissioner and Jennifer Kean; the commissioner described that discussion as “not a smooth conversation” and said the point was emphasized by a colleague who noted such funding could amount to competition with private enterprise. The commissioner said staff should continue to press for fair funding mechanisms but reiterated opposition to subsidizing private development by diverting public funds from other entities.
No formal vote or policy action was taken during the briefing; the commissioner signaled persistent objections and said the matter keeps them engaged on the issue.
