Wednesday, February 6, 2013

SB 239

LC0734
Edward Buttrey
Generally revise tax increment financing districts

3 comments:

  1. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is the subject of two bills currently before the legislature - one that is excellent and one that is troubling.

    Support: SB 239, sponsored by Senator Buttrey - This bill amends the Montana Urban Renewal Law (7-15-4201 et seq. MCA) combining all non-urban renewal economic development districts into one type of district, called a "Targeted Economic Development District that can take advantage of tax increment financing (TIF). It also clarifies the process by which a Targeted Economic Development District is created. This bill is supported by the Montana Association of Counties and the Montana Association of Planners as well as Montana's economic development community. These organizations support the bill because it provides consistency to city and county governments in creating tax increment financing districts of both types (urban and non-urban renewal districts). It also eliminates the requirement that businesses within certain types of TIFs conduct at least 50% of their business outside the state of Montana, which is a cumbersome and often unattainable requirement. The bill provides strong support for the development of value adding businesses in our state, to create sustainable economies in our local communities.

    -Janet Cornish

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  2. Dear Members of the Senate Taxation Committee,

    The Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce, as the relevant voice for our business members, writes to express its gratitude for your service to Montana and to inform you of its support for Senate Bill 239.

    The Chamber supports tax increment financing as an important component of economic development because it allows local governments to invest in pubic value creating infrastructure without increasing property tax rates. This piece of legislation will generally revise and improve Montana’s tax increment financing laws, increasing statutory clarity and accountability for local governments. The Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce and our business members support SB 239 for the following reasons:

    • The bill provides consistency to city and county governments by re-categorizing all non-urban renewal areas into one type of Targeted Economic Development District (hereinafter referred to as “district”) that can take advantage of tax increment financing.
    • The law clarifies the process by which districts are created.
    • SB 239 ensures that districts are properly aligned with infrastructure inadequacies by requiring a prior resolution of necessity similar to the one required for urban renewal areas.
    • Under SB 239, it is necessary for a district to provide a plan found to be in conformance with the local government’s growth policy.
    • The bill requires that the area within the district is zoned in accordance with the municipality’s growth policy.

    SB 239 improves the tax increment financing process, granting municipalities a more viable and appropriate means for administering them. This bill is not only supported by the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce, but by Missoula County, the Montana Association of Planners, and the Montana Association of Counties as well. SB 239 promotes economic development and greater accountability for local governments. Thank you for taking the time to consider this issue and for your work on the behalf of our State.

    Respectfully,


    Kim Latrielle and Jim Decker

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  3. Sent the following to Senators Barrett, Malek, Facey, Larsen, and Wanzenried:

    Senator Barrett,
    Missoula County supports Senate Bill 239 - Generally revise tax increment financing districts, before the Senate on second reading this afternoon. SB 239 combines all non-urban renewal TIF districts into one type - a targeted economic development district. While not proposing a material change in the requirements of the district, the bill offers a consistent approach to creating districts and would ease the process. TIF districts provide important tools for economic development and the bill provides strong support for the development of value adding businesses in our state. SB 239 will help create sustainable economies in our local communities. Please support SB 239.

    Respectfully,
    Dale Bickell on behalf of the Missoula County Commissioners

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