Kossuth County board approves TIF certification and accepts FY24/25 urban renewal report showing $1.36M outstanding

The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors on the morning of the meeting approved certification of tax-increment financing (TIF) indebtedness to the county auditor and accepted the countyannual urban renewal report for fiscal year 2024-25.

County staff told the board the report shows year-end outstanding TIF obligations of $1,363,395 as of June 30, 2025, and noted the county received over $200,000 this fall. "This report shows us what our year end outstanding TIF obligations that were due as of 06/30/2025 of $1,363,395," an auditor or staff presenter said during the meeting. Staff said a similar level of receipts in spring could reduce the outstanding balance below $1,000,000.

The staff presentation outlined internal loans and paybacks: an internal loan payoff of $146,702 was described on the report, and board members asked how commercial-industrial replacement (CI) payments and a $29,000 CI entry on the report affected TIF available to repay loans. Staff explained a change in reporting tied to House File 718 requires CI payments to be reflected on the report and that the county has not certified new debt in this cycle.

Board members moved to certify TIF indebtedness and authorize the chair to sign. Motion by Wacker, second by Hawes; the motion was carried by voice vote with the board answering "Aye." The board separately moved to approve the annual urban renewal report for FY24/25 and carried that motion by voice vote as well.

The staff presentation included an explanation that the county uses 100% of the TIF revenue generated for repayment to avoid an arbitrary capped amount; that practice, staff said, helps pay internal loans faster. Members asked to ensure the audit report items showing prior imbalances have been corrected; staff invited board members to follow up in person if they wanted further details.

Next steps noted by staff: if the board approves, staff will certify the report and provide the chair with a page to sign; upcoming TIF receipts and future certifications will be addressed in budget planning for the next cycle.

The boarddid not take roll-call votes in the record presented; outcomes were recorded by voice vote.

The board also discussed related capital items, such as a previously certified $300,000 internal loan that staff said has been paid off and a separate $457,500 project balance that the county does not owe in full. Members asked staff to track projections for next year to inform whether new debt certification would be needed.