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Developers outline AR Ranch TIF to pay for road and drainage upgrades; commissioners weigh scope and oversight
Summary
Van Acker and Rafter Development presented a proposal for an economic‑development TIF for AR Ranch to finance drainage and paving of 200 & Twentieth Street. Developers said the TIF would be developer‑financed, with 90% of proceeds to improvements and 10% to county administration; commissioners requested tighter boundaries, bidding and engineering oversight, and faster payback terms.
Developers representing AR Ranch presented a proposed tax‑increment financing (TIF) district to the Meade County Commission and asked for initial feedback on boundaries, payback timelines and county oversight.
"The purpose of the TIF would be to cover some drainage upgrades and some asphalt topping on 200 And Twentieth," said Kyle Chlore of Van Acker Development (SEG 2154). He and JD Hewitt of Rafter Development said the project would be 100% developer financed and that, under their plan, 90% of the increment would be spent on specified infrastructure while 10% would be set aside for county administration. Chlore said the maximum incremental capture in their plan was "just under $400,000" in potential county‑benefit funds.
Commissioners and staff questioned boundaries, whether adjacent parcels should be added to the district, how long the TIF payback would run, and how the county would ensure proper engineering, bidding, and inspection. Commissioner comments emphasized that TIFs in the region have expanded in scope and duration in recent years and that the county should require strong protections — including county review of bids, county‑paid engineer review billed to the project, and clear timelines for the TIF payback — to reduce long‑term fiscal risk.
Developers said they can tailor the district boundaries and term and would include waiver of discretionary state formulas if recommended; they also discussed coordinating with a possible road district and whether the county would eventually accept the paved road for maintenance. Commissioners did not vote; staff asked the applicants to prepare a formal application, legal description and a signed mylar plat and to return with draft documents for review.
