Commissioners approve Byron Township tax-sharing agreement after questions on CIA uses and governance

Kent County commissioners voted to approve a tax-sharing agreement with Byron Township Sept. 11 amid questions about how the corridor improvement authority (CIA) would use captured funds and who governs the authority.

Commissioner Steck moved the resolution; the motion passed by voice vote. During discussion, Commissioner Pohnstein said he has consistently opposed DDAs and tax-increment financing because of the effect such mechanisms have on county revenues. "We keep hearing that county governments...don't have enough money, but yet we seem to have money to lock up money that the taxpayers thought was going to the county," he said, adding that the county often receives only a small share of increment captured by these authorities.

County staff explained that CIAs typically have their own appointed boards, separate from township boards, and that proposed CIA activities in this case appear to focus on promotional and event-related spending rather than heavy capital projects. Administrator Al Vandenberg noted the county's economic development policy now requires review of such agreements and that many authorities predate the policy.

Commissioner Faber asked whether a development plan with specific goals and measurable capital improvements exists; staff said a development plan is available and will be provided to commissioners. Staff also confirmed the current action is a tax-sharing agreement rather than a county-enabled tax increment capture; the county retains the option to opt out under certain policy conditions.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to provide the Byron Township CIA development plan and supporting materials for review; staff committed to follow up and provide documentation to commissioners.