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Council holds workshop on proposed north‑end tax increment reinvestment zone
Summary
City staff briefed council on a proposed TIRZ covering roughly 1,100 acres (about 500 acres inside the city) on the north end of Navasota as a tool to support infrastructure and attract light industrial and mixed‑use development; no formal action was taken.
City staff led a workshop discussion on creating a second tax increment reinvestment zone (TIRZ) focused on the north end of Navasota.
Staff described the proposed boundary as a broad area of mostly undeveloped land — roughly 1,100 acres identified in staff materials, about 500 of which lie inside the city limits — and said current taxable base value within the city portion is low (staff noted about $3.8 million in appraised value in the city limits on the parcels shown). Staff said much of the land currently carries agricultural exemptions and that infrastructure (water, sewer, gas) presently extends only partway into the corridor.
The staff presentation explained how a TIRZ functions: the zone establishes a base year value and deposits tax revenue from incremental value growth into a redevelopment fund rather than the general fund. Staff said TIRZ funds can be used for public infrastructure to help attract development, and that the city could structure reimbursements or bonds against future increment revenue depending on project needs. The speaker estimated the process to create a zone and lock in base values could take three to four months.
Councilmembers and staff discussed potential projects a TIRZ could support, including extensions of water and sewer, another water tower to address pressure in the Stone Ridge area, road improvements and turning lanes along Business 6, and remediation or constraints related to an old creosote plant within the proposed area. Staff noted a prior TIRZ in the city produces modest revenues so far and that receipts grow as appraisal values increase.
No formal action was taken; staff said they will work with consultants and the city’s economic‑development advisers to prepare a formal proposal and recommended boundary for council consideration in a future meeting.
