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Franklin County objects to proposed Sugar Farm TIF expansion, cites Ohio law
Summary
The board adopted a resolution formally objecting to the City of Columbus’ proposed Sugar Farm TIF district expansion — noting concern about a 30-year term and 95% exemption and invoking Ohio Revised Code §5709.40(e)(2) — and directed staff to seek compensation from the city.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 30 adopted Resolution 71325 to formally object to the City of Columbus’ proposed expansion of the Sugar Farm tax increment financing (TIF) district.
Emmanuel Torres, assistant director of economic development and planning, told the board the city’s notice proposes a 30-year term and a 95% tax-exemption percentage for the expanded district. Torres said the county’s position is that such terms — a multi-decade exemption and a very high exemption percentage — can shift tax revenue away from social-service levy agencies that Franklin County administers. He cited Ohio Revised Code section 5709.40(e)(2) as the statutory authority that allows the county to object to TIFs proposed for more than 10 years or with exemptions exceeding 75%.
The resolution directs county staff to negotiate a compensation agreement with the City of Columbus to address years 11 through 30 of the proposed TIF, and states that, if no compensation agreement is reached and the city proceeds to create the TIF district, the county will seek compensation at the default rate set in Ohio Revised Code §5709.40(e)(2). The board also directed the clerk to certify the county’s resolution to Columbus City Council within 30 days of the notice and to record the resolution in the official record book.
Commissioners moved, seconded and voted to adopt the resolution. The clerk recorded the vote as unanimous.
Provenance: Discussion and adoption of Resolution 71325 occurred during the economic development and planning portion of the agenda on Sept. 30.
Speakers quoted or relied on in this article (first appearance in transcript): - Emmanuel Torres, Assistant Director, Economic Development and Planning (first referenced SEG 1111)
Authorities: [{"type":"statute","name":"Ohio Revised Code section 5709.40(e)(2)","citation":"Ohio Rev. Code §5709.40(e)(2)","referenced_by":["resolution_71325"]}]
Actions: [{"kind":"motion","identifiers":{"agenda_item_id":"Resolution 71325","resolution_number":"71325"},"motion":"Adopt Resolution 71325 objecting to proposed Sugar Farm TIF expansion and directing staff to negotiate compensation or apply default statutory rates","mover":"Unidentified Speaker 2","second":"Unidentified Speaker 6","vote_record":[{"member":"Commissioner O'Grady","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Commissioner Boyce","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Commissioner Crawley","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":3,"no":0,"abstain":0},"outcome":"approved","notes":"Directs staff to seek compensation for years 11–30 or apply default rate under Ohio Rev. Code §5709.40(e)(2)."}]
Clarifying details: [{"category":"statute","detail":"County cited Ohio Rev. Code §5709.40(e)(2) regarding objections for terms over 10 years or exemptions exceeding 75%","source_speaker":"Emmanuel Torres"},{"category":"TIF_terms","detail":"City proposed TIF expansion with a 30-year term and 95% exemption","source_speaker":"Emmanuel Torres"}],
Proper_names:[{"name":"Sugar Farm TIF District","type":"other"},{"name":"City of Columbus","type":"agency"}],
Searchable_tags:["TIF","tax_increment_financing","Sugar Farm","Columbus","economic_development","Franklin County"],
