Board debates TIF amendment that could shift up to ~$33,000 a year from district to housing trust; members plan letter to county

Board Member 1 raised a proposed amendment to the county’s urban renewal (TIF) plan at the Nov. 3 Havana Community School District meeting, saying the Board of Supervisors intends to redirect captured tax increment toward low- and moderate-income housing and appoint the Story County Housing Trust as program manager.

Board members said the district currently benefits from TIF proceeds captured in prior projects but warned that two demolished wind turbines would lower future receipts. Board Member 1 cited a county estimate that the district’s loss could be about $33,000 per year over the next four years if the amendment proceeds as proposed. Board Member 4 (Leanne), who the board identified as the county-appointed project manager for the consultation meeting, said she will present the history and process to taxing entities and gather written comments.

Trustees discussed options: some argued a letter to the Board of Supervisors is unlikely to change the outcome but is important to put the district’s concerns on record and to educate local decision-makers; others said substantive change would require action at the state legislative level. The board agreed to draft a letter, have staff compile supporting materials (including references to a University of Iowa study and the Iowa Association of School Boards platform cited by trustees), and circulate the draft to members for review. Leanne indicated she must abstain from deliberation due to her role as project manager for the county.

Board members noted timing constraints: the county’s Board of Supervisors is scheduled to act Nov. 18, which leaves the district limited time to file formal comments. The board will seek to have a draft letter available before the county’s action and to compile evidence of potential fiscal impact for the supervisors during the consultation process.