Council approves FY2026 TIF facade and residential rehab programs, and authorizes surplus distribution

The Macomb City Council on June 16 approved a package of tax‑increment‑financing (TIF) programs intended to support downtown building facades and residential rehabilitation, and adopted a resolution to distribute a small surplus from the Westside TIF.

Savannah Ballard, the city’s downtown marketing director, said the FY2026 downtown facade renovation program will again reimburse up to two‑thirds of TIF‑eligible exterior projects and allow awards up to $20,000 per eligible project. Council set aside $50,000 from the Downtown East Side TIF for the program and changed the process to a first‑come, first‑serve application review to speed awards.

Miranda Lambert presented companion residential rehabilitation programs. For the Downtown East Side TIF she said the program targets single‑family, street‑facing exterior repairs and will reimburse up to $5,000 for TIF‑eligible expenses. Reimbursement will be awarded on the basis of assessed property value: properties assessed at $50,000 or below receive 90% reimbursement; $50,001–$74,999 receive 75%; $75,000–$100,000 receive 50%; properties assessed over $100,000 are not eligible. The council allocated $100,000 to the East Side rehabilitation program and $50,000 to a similar West Side program.

Council also adopted a resolution declaring a surplus of $14,144.39 in the Westside TIF special tax allocation fund and authorized the city treasurer to pay that amount to the McDana County Treasurer for pro rata distribution to affected taxing districts.

Councilors emphasized outreach and marketing to ensure eligible property owners learn when programs open; staff said marketing will include social media, the community news brief and direct outreach and that open houses (and Zoom options) will be offered to explain application steps.