Pella council creates Neighborhood Revitalization Grant committee to direct LMI TIF funds toward home renovation

The Pella City Council voted to establish a Neighborhood Revitalization Grant (NRG) committee to plan how Low-to-Moderate-Income (LMI) set-aside funds from Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues will be used to support housing rehabilitation and neighborhood revitalization.

Speaking in support, the mayor described the program concept as a way to use the LMI portion of TIF revenues to renovate existing homes and restore neighborhoods rather than building new large structures. The mayor said LMI set-asides are commonly a roughly 33'36% portion of TIF revenues and emphasized a desire that any program be "uniquely Pella." He said he had spoken with local employers and banks while drafting the idea and that Lynn would lead development of the program, soliciting community members with rehabilitation experience to help craft guidelines.

The proposed NRG committee membership named volunteer community members with renovation experience and local partners to help shape a grant program focused on renovation and restoration rather than down-payment assistance. Council approved formation of the committee and the named membership by voice/roll call.

"I wanted it to be uniquely Pella," the mayor said, explaining why he asked Lynn to lead the program development.

Staff and council members said the program is in early design stages and will require more detailed program rules, eligibility criteria, funding thresholds and reporting before the council will consider formal grant disbursements. Lynn, who the mayor asked to lead the effort, will draft the program and return to council with recommendations and any requests for resources.