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Council approves New Carlisle TIF expansion and redevelopment bonds despite public objections over Amazon/AWS designation
Summary
The council approved Resolution 106-24 to expand the New Carlisle economic development area and Bill 107-24 to authorize up to $5 million in redevelopment district bonds; public speakers warned the AWS/Amazon designation and TIF designations could lock up long-term tax increments, and votes on both measures carried 7–2.
The Saint Joseph County Council on Oct. 8 approved an expansion of the New Carlisle economic development area and a separate redevelopment bond resolution after lengthy presentations and public comment.
Bill Shaliel, economic development director, told the council Resolution 106-24 would expand the New Carlisle economic development area by roughly 378 acres, add 34 parcels and allow creation of new allocation (TIF) areas to support utility, property-acquisition and trail projects in coordination with the town of New Carlisle. Shaliel said the expansion would also add Amazon Web Services sites as designated taxpayers so personal property taxes generated on those sites could be allocated into the TIF increment for projects in the allocation area.
That designation drew several members of the public into the meeting. Speaker Steve Francis argued the county would be “locking up” large sums of tax revenue for many years — figures he cited included a projected $1 billion over 35 years — and urged the council to delay action until questions about regional needs and transparency were answered. Amanda Mitchell and other residents raised similar concerns about the use of TIF funds by an unelected redevelopment commission and transparency over where funds have been spent previously.
Shaliel, county staff and bond counsel pushed back in the hearing, explaining technical aspects of TIFs and prior transactions. They said some funds identified as arriving from GM and AWS would support infrastructure projects already under contract and that the TIF mechanism is required to finance and leverage certain utility and road projects that the town cannot fund on its own. Fasenda, speaking later about Bill 107-24, said the proposed bond would be taxable, not to exceed $5 million, for terms no longer than 20 years and with interest not to exceed 7 percent; he said the bonds would be funded from TIF revenues and that a tax levy should not be necessary to pay debt service.
Despite vocal public opposition, the council voted to approve Resolution 106-24 by a 7–2 roll call (Missus Drake and President Root voted no). The related resolution authorizing redevelopment district bonds (Bill 107-24) also passed 7–2.
Councilors and staff underscored that project-level details — including the sequence of property acquisitions, water and sewer projects, and an interchange match obligation — remain subject to future agreements and that some revenue pledges from private partners (GM, AWS) are expected to offset bonding needs.
Outgoing public comments and follow-up Q&A repeatedly asked for clarity on where TIF-generated funds will be spent, whether the redevelopment commission’s decisions are sufficiently transparent, and the overall county exposure if projected increment revenues fall short.
The council recorded the votes and moved both items forward to allow the county and town to complete property-acquisition and utility plans connected to the New Carlisle development area.
