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Erie County Commissioners weigh City of Huron's proposed 30-year, 100% TIF for ConAgra site
Summary
County legal counsel outlined a City of Huron plan for a $35 million Tax Increment Financing (TIF) package that would give a 100% property-tax exemption for 30 years on the ConAgra site; commissioners discussed options including filing an objection by March 6, 2025 and questioned whether TIF proceeds could be tied to local nonprofits and shoreline repairs.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jason Hinners told the Erie County Commissioners on Feb. 19 that the City of Huron has proposed establishing an Incentive District TIF for the ConAgra property that would grant a 100% tax exemption for 30 years and is estimated at $35 million to support public infrastructure tied to the development.
Hinners said the TIF package explicitly includes public infrastructure improvements and lists repair of the shoreline break wall as an eligible public improvement, with that repair estimated at $4 million to $5 million. He told the commissioners the county has three options: take no action and allow the TIF to proceed, formally agree to the City’s proposed terms, or file a written objection by March 6, 2025 (30 days from receipt). Hinners advised that if the commissioners oppose the proposal he would recommend submitting a formal objection; without a negotiated agreement the default exemption schedule would apply (0% for years 0–10, 50% for years 11–30).
Commissioner Shoffner said he opposed a full 100% exemption, noting the project’s primary beneficiaries would likely be condominium buyers and raising concern that language in the proposal made county compensation appear optional. President Shenigo stressed the importance of repairing the shoreline before development begins in order to preserve tax revenue and local jobs, and suggested County Administrator Hank Solowiej contact City Manager Matt Lasko to discuss the county’s priorities. The transcript does not record any response from City of Huron officials.
The proposal also referenced Serving Our Seniors as an organization expected to receive funding or benefit; President Shenigo asked whether the county could negotiate to ensure that organization receives support, but no resolution of that point was recorded. The county has until March 6, 2025 to submit an objection; if it files one and negotiations fail, the TIF would fall back to the statutory default structure as explained by Hinners.
Next steps: the commissioners did not adopt a formal position during the meeting; the timeline for action is the March 6, 2025 objection deadline and President Shenigo suggested county staff open talks with City of Huron leadership to clarify compensation, shoreline work, and any commitments to local nonprofits.
