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Council discusses FY27 capital priorities and TIF strategy; staff to return with bond options
Summary
Council reviewed staff's recommended Phase 1 CIP priorities (core network switches, a local roads program, Courthouse Road reconstruction, sidewalks, Bayside Road) and a TIF consultant's recommendations to better align TIF revenue with CIP projects; staff to return in August with bond financing options and recommended TIF amendments.
City staff presented the proposed FY27 Phase 1 of the capital improvement plan and a consultant's analysis of the city's tax increment financing (TIF) districts, urging council direction on priorities and use of TIF proceeds.
Deputy city manager Sarah walked council through a prioritized list of projects (top five recommended for phase 1) including core network switches, a year-one local roads program identified by street-scan data, Courthouse Road reconstruction covered under a developer agreement, local sidewalk improvements, and the Bayside Road project that leverages a 50% state match. Sarah emphasized the CIP is a multiyear, data-driven inventory and that staff will return in August with financing options, likely bond proposals.
Economic development director Twila Fisher and a consultant from La Rochelle Consulting presented a TIF redesign report. The consultant summarized historical TIF revenues (Beckwith Hill MTIF produced approximately $627,000 in FY26) and recommended options to better deploy captured TIF dollars for short-term capital needs. Recommendations included considering amendment options for Beckwith Hill (up to 100% capture subject to council discretion) and extending Leonard Lake's affordable-senior housing TIF to 30 years to fund Moore Senior Center and Knowlton Park projects. The consultant noted statutory changes that permit extending MTIFs where a large portion of revenues fund affordable housing or transit-oriented development.
Councilors asked for clarifications on the city seal project cost, phasing, and potential use of TIF proceeds to offset general-fund capital costs. Multiple councilors expressed support for staff's prioritized list but urged careful sequencing and that funding choices be transparent. The council directed staff to return in August with bond financing proposals and more detailed cost estimates and to coordinate CIP priorities with TIF planning and the incoming finance director's review.
