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Paris council readopts citywide residential reinvestment zone to preserve tax-abatement authority

City Council of Paris · February 20, 2026

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Summary

City staff told the council that the citywide residential Reinvestment Zone was being readopted as '2020-1' so Paris can continue to grant residential tax abatements; councilors asked about eligibility, outreach and historic usage before approving the readoption following a public hearing.

The Paris City Council on Feb. 10 readopted a citywide residential Reinvestment Zone, renamed Reinvestment Zone 2020‑1, preserving the council's authority to grant residential tax abatements.

Steph, a city staff member who presented the item, told the council the original reinvestment zone was adopted in 2013 and expanded in 2015, and that those earlier zones had five‑year terms that have since expired. She said the city granted seven abatements in 2015 but has had few requests since and currently has no active residential tax abatements. She said the city must readopt the zone to continue offering abatements in the future.

Councilmembers pressed staff for details about eligibility and outreach. Steph said eligible properties must lie wholly within the city limits, conform to city zoning and applicable laws, be owner‑occupied rather than tenant occupied, and be appraised at market value for tax purposes. She said applicants must apply before construction begins; historically some abatements were granted at 100% initially and later stepped down.

The council opened a public hearing on the ordinance and, seeing no public comments, closed it and moved to approve the readoption. A councilmember moved to approve the reinvestment zone; the motion was seconded and the chair called the vote in favor.

The readoption preserves the council’s ability to offer residential abatements and staff indicated the city could increase outreach (for example, via community development) so residents and builders learn about the program.

The council also discussed coordinating with the Historic Preservation Commission on residential improvements and promoting the program to spur neighborhood redevelopment. The item concluded with the council approving the ordinance to readopt Reinvestment Zone 2020‑1.

Next steps: staff will proceed with any administrative follow-up needed to implement and promote the readopted zone.