After public objections, Tipp City board approves TIF revenue‑sharing resolution

The Tipp City Exempted Village School District Board voted to approve a resolution related to a Tipp City TIF ordinance and revenue‑sharing agreement after extended discussion and a public comment opposing the measure.

Resident Cathy Bone spoke during public comment and urged the board to reject the agreement, saying the TIF would divert revenue away from schools. “The TIF agreement will result in loss of 100% of the revenue from property tax collection on 70 acres over a 30 year period,” Bone said, arguing the district should not cede tax receipts for decades.

Board members and district staff responded with technical clarifications. District staff explained that under the proposed structure, a portion of new tax revenue generated by development would be redirected to the city to pay for infrastructure, and that the split described in the meeting was a 75% allocation to the city during the life of the TIF on new growth, with 25% remaining to the district. Staff also warned that the fiscal picture could change if pending state legislation known as House Bill 96 removes inside millage, a move several board members said could significantly reduce local revenue across jurisdictions.

Board members debated timing and whether to table the item until the state budget and the House Bill 96 outcome were clearer. One member said she could not support a vote without knowing the state’s final action, while another argued delaying could prevent the city from moving the project forward. After discussion, the board voted in favor of the resolution.

What happens next: with the resolution approved, the city may proceed with the TIF process; the board asked staff to monitor state legislative outcomes and provide updated fiscal impact analyses as information becomes available.