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Township approves IFT transfer and adopts points-based abatement policy
Summary
Trustees approved the transfer of an Industrial Facilities Tax (IFT) certificate for 5005 Craft Ave and adopted a new scoring policy to evaluate future IFT/abatement requests, tying abatement length to jobs, project value and green features.
Cascade Charter Township approved the transfer of an existing Industrial Facilities Tax (IFT) certificate for 5005 Craft Avenue and adopted a new IFT policy that uses a points-based scoring system to determine abatement length.
Staff explained the IFT for the property was originally granted in 2016, transferred in 2021 and has three years remaining. The new tenant filed for transfer; staff said state rules treat this as a transfer and the board opened a public hearing before voting to approve the application (certificate 2016-186).
Paula Jasper of the assessing firm and Manager Jade Smith explained the updated policy is intended to create consistent standards and scores applications by job retention and creation, project value, construction activity and green design. The policy ties scored points to an abatement duration ranging from two to the statutory maximum of 12 years.
Trustees supported the policy update as a way to bring greater transparency and predictability to how abatement requests are evaluated. Legal counsel clarified the program is an abatement rather than a full exemption, with limits based on statute.
Board members voted to approve both the specific transfer and the IFT policy update during the same meeting; staff noted the net fiscal effect of the single transfer was estimated at roughly $1,000 to local tax revenue in the immediate term.
