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Madison County reviews $3M wastewater expansion and tax-increment financing options to keep employer in county
Summary
County staff told commissioners a Mid Ohio Water & Sewer District wastewater expansion is out to bid (Feb. 12) with an engineer's estimate near $3 million; staff recommended exploring TIF and a 0% 30-year loan to finance construction and to encourage local employers to expand in Madison County.
County officials on Jan. 27 updated the Board of Commissioners on a planned wastewater expansion being advanced by Mid Ohio Water and Sewer District and discussed ways the county might help pay for the work.
The project, put to bid with openings set for Feb. 12, carries an engineer's estimate staff said is in the neighborhood of $3,000,000 but that may have risen from an earlier $3.2 million estimate to roughly $3.5–$3.7 million. County staff said Mid Ohio has access to a 0% interest loan for 30 years and is exploring combining that loan with a tax-increment financing (TIF) structure so revenue from increased property values could repay borrowing.
"They're estimating the project total to be about $3,000,000," a county presenter said. He added the district's consultants have prepared a TIF analysis and staff will review scenarios on 15-, 30- and 40-year repayment terms.
Officials described two local private interests that would directly benefit if wastewater infrastructure is extended: EB (an employer that has discussed expansion with the county) and a Speedway site that would avoid installing an on-site wastewater treatment system. Speakers emphasized that expanding the TIF boundary beyond a single parcel could improve project economics by capturing more incremental tax revenue.
Commissioners asked detailed questions about repayment sources. County staff identified three likely revenue streams: tap fees, user rates and TIF dollars. "I would say a combination of those three would pay for the project," a staff member said, adding that tapping a broader area into the TIF might better match revenues with project costs.
Staff said final bid numbers and a pending easement will clarify the county's potential commitment and that Andy Rosart will run financing scenarios for decision-makers to review. No formal county appropriation or binding commitment was made at the Jan. 27 meeting; staff asked only for continued direction to develop scenarios and share information with the township and taxing jurisdictions.
The matter remains a priority for the board, officials said, because county leaders want to retain local employers that have indicated they could relocate if utilities are not expanded.
Next steps: bids will open Feb. 12; staff will return later with financing scenarios and draft terms for any proposed county participation.
