Bill would clarify that TIFs can fund police and fire station construction

Senate Bill 307 received sponsor testimony in the Ways and Means Committee describing a technical change to the Revised Code that would clarify municipalities and townships may use tax-increment financing (TIF) revenue to construct police and fire stations.

Senator Timken told the committee that TIFs — a tool enacted in Ohio in 1976 to capture incremental tax payments for local infrastructure — have been updated over time but the statute is unclear about whether TIF revenue may pay to build police or fire facilities. He cited the City of Canton, which wants to leverage TIF revenue while supporting development (including a recently attracted Amazon distribution center) to build a new fire station for a previously underdeveloped area.

"As this bill is written, it does not mean more money," Timken said in response to a committee question about whether allowing facilities would enlarge the TIF pool. He explained that the total TIF revenue is fixed at the time a district is created; the bill would simply give local governments explicit authority to allocate existing TIF revenues toward constructing police and firefighting buildings.

Committee members described the change as straightforward technical clarification. Senator de Mora said the bill appears to add a brief phrase — "buildings for police and firefighting" — and called that common sense. A separate question asked whether the change would dilute other beneficiaries; Timken reiterated municipalities would decide how to allocate existing funds.

The committee accepted sponsor testimony and concluded the hearing on Senate Bill 307 without taking a vote.