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Commissioners approve TIF participation for Lennon Lofts (100% years 1–5; 50% years 6–10) after debate over budget impacts
Summary
The board voted to participate in a TIF exemption for the Lennon Lofts redevelopment, applying a 100% exemption for years 1–5 and 50% for years 6–10; the measure passed 3–2 after discussion about revenue impacts and the county’s limited discretion over Renaissance Zone exemptions.
The Cass County Board of Commissioners agreed to participate in a tax-increment finance (TIF) exemption for the Lennon Lofts redevelopment in Fargo, approving a TIF structure that follows a Renaissance Zone exemption: 100% exemption for years one through five and 50% for years six through ten. The motion passed on a roll call vote three to two.
Jim Gilmore presented the redevelopment site and said the City of Fargo has already approved a five‑year Renaissance Zone property tax exemption; the county’s action was whether to participate in an additional five‑year TIF exemption the developer requested. Commissioner Capitan moved to participate in the TIF exemption; the motion was moved and seconded and after discussion the roll call produced yes votes from Commissioners Breitling, Capitan and Vettel and no votes from Commissioners Flacco and Grinberg.
Commissioners discussed the county’s budget context and the mechanics of stacking a Renaissance Zone exemption and a TIF exemption. Commissioner Grinberg urged more internal discussion about county TIF policy and budget tradeoffs, saying the commission should consider a "roundtable or brown bag" with staff as they prepare the July budget process. Commissioners also asked staff for data on TIF revenues: one speaker cited a county TIF figure around $1,552,000 while another referenced an assessor figure near $2,900,000; those numbers were not reconciled during the meeting and staff were asked to provide consistent figures.
During the discussion, staff clarified that the county does not have the option to opt out of the five‑year Renaissance Zone exemption but can opt out of an additional five‑year TIF exemption; the approved motion accepts participation in the optional TIF portion as negotiated (100% years 1–5, 50% years 6–10). The developer indicated the project needs the combined exemptions to make financing workable but had not completed all financing details.
The board did not adopt a written TIF agreement at the meeting; staff were directed to continue negotiations and to provide data requested by commissioners ahead of final approvals and any implementation steps.
