Commission moves Neighborhood Revitalization Program to public hearing; plan would extend residential rebate term to 10 years

The commission reviewed a proposed update to the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) and voted to send the draft plan to public hearing and publication.

Plan changes: The draft discussed at the March 10 meeting proposes treating both residential and commercial/multi‑family projects on a 10‑year rebate schedule (previously the residential rebate had a five‑year scale). The NRP provides tax rebates tied to increased assessed valuation created by eligible improvements; rebate amounts are based on the value gained from the improvements, not land value.

Key procedural steps: The county attorney and staff explained that a public notice must be published twice and the plan must be on display in the clerk’s office for 20 days before the hearing. After publication and hearing, the commission will consider adoption. Staff advised that the program should not automatically sunset, but instead be reviewed periodically (for example every five years) so that future boards can reassess parameters.

Commission action: The board voted to approve the draft and direct staff to publish the plan and schedule the required public hearing. The Economic Development Council and local stakeholders have expressed interest in the program, and staff flagged possible overlaps with other incentives (for example RHID programs for downtown or central business districts) where only one incentive may apply per parcel.

Next steps: County staff will finalize the draft language, publish notices and set the hearing date. The county attorney will prepare the official plan documentation and work with the clerk for publication and hearing logistics.