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Supervisors approve 5‑year extension of Southern Hill urban renewal TIF to aid 55‑home project
Summary
The Dickinson County board unanimously approved a request to extend the Southern Hill urban‑renewal tax‑increment financing (TIF) period from 10 to 15 years to help cover public infrastructure for a 55‑home development; the developer estimated a $20 million-plus boost to the tax base and infrastructure costs were capped at about $2.36 million.
The Dickinson County supervisors voted unanimously to extend the Southern Hill urban renewal tax‑increment financing (TIF) period from 10 years to 15 years after a presentation from city/development representatives.
A county presenter explained the request, saying the proposal would support development of 55 single‑family slab‑on‑grade homes built in three phases and that "we are literally being very conservative, approximately $20,000,000 minimum" in new property tax base once built. The presenter told supervisors the developer agreement caps the public infrastructure rebate at an estimated $2,360,809 and that TIF draws stop once the capped amount or the time limit is reached.
Developer Neil Slater told the board the per‑house cost with land is "about $300,000," and that building multiple homes under a single development allows modest cost savings through bulk purchasing. Officials said phase 1 will contain roughly 19 homes, with later phases building out over time; speakers estimated final infrastructure work could finish by 2029.
Supporters argued a longer TIF term helps the developer recoup infrastructure costs amid higher post‑2020 construction prices and required set‑asides for lower‑ and moderate‑income housing. The presenter noted the county's LMI set‑aside percentage has risen to about 39.9%, reducing the pool available to a developer and making the extended term more likely to keep houses affordable.
Supervisor (Speaker 8) moved to extend the Southern Hill urban‑renewal TIF term from 10 to 15 years; the motion was seconded and carried on a unanimous voice/roll call vote. County staff said they would notarize and circulate documents to the parties and that the Spirit Lake School District is expected to consider the extension at its next meeting.
The board did not set a new dollar appropriation at the meeting; the action modifies the length of the TIF rebate window in the developer agreement and leaves the capped rebate amount and phase triggers in place.
