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Commission debates county plan to withdraw from Neighborhood Revitalization Program; staff recommends negotiating extension
Summary
City staff warned a county notice to withdraw from the interlocal Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) would take effect Dec. 1; the county’s proposed replacement would cap rebates at $300,000, shorten rebate terms and remove industrial rebates. Staff and developers urged negotiating an extension rather than accepting the county’s framework.
City manager Mark Westhoff briefed the commission on a submitted county proposal to change the county’s participation in the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP). Westhoff reviewed the program’s history (1990s origin, update in 2016, county expansion in 2021), presented an analysis comparing three scenarios — the current NRP, the current NRP with county withdrawal, and the county’s proposed framework — and said the county’s 90‑day notice to withdraw would be effective Dec. 1 unless extended.
Westhoff said the county’s proposal includes a $300,000 cap on project value for residential and commercial credits, eliminates industrial rebates and shortens rebate periods, which he and several developers told commissioners would reduce total rebate value on larger projects. He recommended asking the county for more time to negotiate, or raising any proposed cap, noting the city could not enact a new interlocal agreement by Dec. 1 because state notice and public‑hearing requirements prevent immediate action.
Public commenters and local developers argued the NRP is a low‑cost, accessible incentive that helps mid‑level commercial and multifamily projects that cannot use industrial revenue bonds (IRBs). One developer warned that removing or capping rebates would make certain projects financially unviable and urged the commission to ask the county to void or extend the withdrawal window so jurisdictions could coordinate a new framework. Commissioners provided direction to continue negotiations and for staff to request an extension from the county; Westhoff said he would attend the county meeting to press for an extension.
