Pennington County commissioners authorized staff Jan. 6 to compile and transmit the board's comments on Rapid City TIF application 25-T1020-21. The application proposes demolition of an existing service station, removal of underground fuel tanks, environmental remediation and a 21-unit multifamily development; the applicant requested TIF proceeds to cover tank removal, remediation, architecture/engineering and certain soft costs.

Several commissioners expressed concern that some requested costs (landscaping, lighting, loan-closing fees and title work) may not meet state TIF-eligibility standards and that the developer could be seeking public assistance for remediation or removal costs that should have been reflected in purchase price. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate with county departments to produce a consolidated board response for submission to Rapid City for consideration in the city's review process.

The board voted to authorize the commission director and affected staff to prepare a single, consolidated comment from Pennington County to the city planning department for incorporation into the TIF application review.