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Council approves conditional $19,137 TIF reimbursement to Trackside Auto Body for fencing in East Billings
Summary
The council conditionally approved a tax‑increment financing reimbursement of up to $19,137 from the East Billings Urban Renewal District for fencing on railroad‑leased land used by Trackside Auto Body, with three council members voting no over private‑benefit concerns.
The Billings City Council conditionally approved tax‑increment financing (TIF) assistance of up to $19,137 from the East Billings Urban Renewal District for Trackside Auto Body to install security fencing on railroad‑leased property, citing blight removal, safety and long‑term leased status of the site.
An EBIRD representative said Trackside has operated at the site for 18 years and the fence would secure customers’ vehicles, reduce break‑ins and improve appearances along Montana Avenue. The EBIRD presenter said the district’s TIF policy has funded fencing and facade projects historically and that the area is designated as blighted for the urban renewal program.
"The fence is to address safety concerns as well as potential blight on that lot," the EBIRD representative said.
Supporters on council described the fencing as a modest, targeted investment that improves the corridor and leverages private investment; critics argued TIF should prioritize projects with stronger increment‑building potential and raised concerns about public funds subsidizing improvements on railroad‑owned land. Council member Scott Aspenlieder said he opposed using TIF for a project unlikely to increase the tax increment on land the railroad owns.
Council member Bill Kennedy moved to conditionally approve EBIRD’s recommendation; the motion passed with three council members recorded as voting no (Mister O'Donnell, Scott Aspenlieder and Mike Nelson). The council instructed EBIRD staff to return with a frontage program and other policy items in June for broader consideration.
