Daviess County commission unanimously approves combined TIF annual spending plan; commissioners ask how funds could support volunteer fire departments

At the Nov. 25 meeting of the Daviess County Redevelopment Commission, staff presented the annual Tax Increment Financing (TIF) spending plan for the coming year and noted a state filing requirement. "Per IC code, last year was the first time that we had to file it with the state," Speaker 5 said, explaining the Westgate and GPC TIF areas are combined for this submission and that the plan can be updated throughout the year.

Commissioner-level discussion focused on whether the redevelopment/economic development plan is the appropriate vehicle to direct funds to local needs raised by the volunteer fire departments. Speaker 3 told the commission they had talked with another official about fire-department needs and asked who is responsible for creating and updating the plan: "If we see that the fire departments need x number of dollars... Is that the plan?" Speaker 3 asked.

Speaker 5 responded that the plan can be updated as needed during the year. After discussion, Speaker 2 called for a motion to approve the document. A motion was made and seconded (mover recorded in the transcript as "Mike"); Speaker 2 then called "All in favor, aye?" and the motion passed unanimously.

The approval satisfies the filing timeline, which staff said needs to be completed by Dec. 1. Commissioners asked staff to clarify the process for drafting and updating the redevelopment/economic development plan and how, if appropriate, funds might be allocated in support of volunteer fire districts.