Council discusses using TIF to replace lead water services, repair electric and sidewalks on Walnut Street

Council debated a potential project to use the city’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district funds to address lead water service lines and to coordinate underground electrical and sidewalk improvements along Walnut Street.

Council members said an estimated 166 service connections in the city may still have some lead components out of roughly 1,900 total connections; many of the lead connections are concentrated on Walnut Street, which lies inside the TIF district, though other lead connections exist outside the TIF area and would not be eligible for TIF funding. Members noted TIF projects often carry additional procurement requirements (prevailing wage and special bidding rules) and that water distribution work requires careful eligibility analysis. One commissioner said the estimated engineering cost to address an overpass six years earlier was more than $800,000 and cautioned that motor fuel tax allocations and other funds could be quickly consumed by a single large project.

Staff were asked to check eligibility with the TIF administrator, obtain price estimates (including multiple bids or engineer guidance), and return with a proposal that outlines costs, funding sources, and procurement constraints. Members discussed applying for competitive grants and said a phased approach—using TIF where eligible and seeking parallel grant funding—would likely be the most feasible path.

No formal appropriation was made; the council directed staff to obtain cost estimates, check TIF eligibility and return with a recommended scope and procurement path.