Council approves TIF revenue sharing with Plain Township to support fire and EMS

The New Albany City Council on July 2 adopted Resolution R‑30‑2024 authorizing the director of finance to make a one‑time retroactive payment and to provide ongoing biannual revenue‑sharing payments to Plain Township for fire and emergency medical services.

Finance Director Stotts told council the city analyzed revenues from several tax increment finance (TIF) districts and recommended sharing proceeds from the Research & Technology and Blacklick‑2 (Bob Evans) TIFs with Plain Township. He said the analysis shows the two TIFs generate an estimated $468,000 (as reported during the meeting) net of county allocations for a retroactive payment covering 2015–2022, and estimated approximately $84,000 annually thereafter available for distribution to the township for fire/EMS support.

Representatives from Plain Township thanked the city for the partnership during a prior meeting and at tonight’s hearing. “We greatly appreciate your partnership,” a Plain Township trustee said before the council vote.

Councilmembers said the revenue sharing aligns with past practice of compensating the township for emergency services as the city grows, and noted the proposal is intended to help Plain Township avoid or reduce a near‑term levy request. The resolution passed on a unanimous roll‑call vote.

Why this matters: the payment shifts a portion of TIF revenues to the township that provides fire and EMS coverage for parts of New Albany, affecting intergovernmental finance and local service funding. Staff said the precise retroactive amount would be finalized after administrative calculations and that distributions would be handled by the finance director as authorized.

The council adopted the resolution after a public hearing and a motion to adopt, with roll‑call confirmation of seven yes votes.