Appointments to Urban Renewal Agency prompt debate over TIF use and transparency

The council interviewed and confirmed two nominees to the city's Urban Renewal Agency during the Jan. 6 meeting.

Joe Rodriguez, who described experience in economics and local business leadership, told councilors he supports a conservative approach to Tax Increment Financing (TIF) directed toward economic development and derisking blighted or infrastructure-challenged sites. Rodriguez emphasized the agency's focus on job creation rather than subsidizing high-density residential projects that can strain services such as fire and schools. He said Urban Renewal can be used strategically in areas such as downtown Millworks and the Pleasant View district, but stressed the need for transparency and public outreach to counter misperceptions about how funds are generated and used.

Dominic Parmentier was presented as a candidate in absentia because he was traveling; the mayor noted Parmentier's engineering and infrastructure background and urged a timely confirmation so the Urban Renewal board would be fully constituted to elect officers and address district business. Some councilors expressed discomfort confirming a candidate who was not present, but the majority voted to confirm him to ensure the board could operate on a pending timeline.

Councilors discussed concerns commonly raised by residents, including whether TIF funding primarily benefits outside developers and whether districts sometimes cannibalize other taxing entities' revenue. Speakers noted state law definitions of blight and underscored the council's role in approving specific projects and safeguards that aim to prevent misuse of funds.

The council moved and approved the appointments by roll-call votes, and the new board members will participate in upcoming Urban Renewal meetings.