ADOPTED - JUNE 10, 2003

Agenda Item No. 9



Introduced by the County Services and Finance Committees of the:



INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS



RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE COUNTY'S OBJECTIONS TO THE

DEVELOPMENT AND TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN ADOPTED BY

LANSING CHARTER TOWNSHIP



RESOLUTION #03-150



WHEREAS, at its regular May 13, 2003 meeting, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners tabled a resolution objecting to the pending approval of the Development and Tax Increment Financing Plan by Lansing Charter Township; and



WHEREAS, the resolution was tabled at the request of the Township in order to allow for a meeting between County and Township representatives to discuss the county's objections; and



WHEREAS, a meeting was held on May 16 to discuss the county's objections, which included the concern that the projected capture of $25 million (assuming 2.5% annual growth) of county property tax dollars ($70 million in total) was excessive and that the county's policy regarding the use of captured dollars to be used for specific infrastructure projects is not being followed, which could be detrimental to the citizens of Ingham County; and



WHEREAS, at the meeting, it was discussed that as much as $29 million in the proposed plan could be related to infrastructure projects; and



WHEREAS, as a result of the meeting, the Township Board modified their proposed plan to reduce the county's captured taxes from 100% to 80%, thus reducing the projected capture of county funds to $20 million and the total projected capture to $48 million (assuming 2.5% annual growth); and



WHEREAS, the Township Board adopted the proposed plan on May 20, 2003; and



WHEREAS, $20 million in captured county taxes over 30 years is lost average annual revenue to the county of more than $650,000, at a first year cost of approximately $180,000, which could affect the health and law enforcement services which are provided to all citizens of Ingham County; and



THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners thanks the Township for its willingness to meet and discuss the county's objections.



BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners continues to object that the project list and enabling ordinance do not provide for a reasonable limit as to the amount of total dollars which can be captured, nor do they provide for an irrevocable date of termination of the property tax capture.



BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners continues to object that no evidence has yet been presented that this public investment will be a net economic generator for the county or the region, as opposed to simply moving economic opportunities from within the county or region;







ADOPTED - JUNE 10, 2003

Agenda Item No. 9



RESOLUTION #03-150



BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board continues to object that there is no firm commitment in the plan to implement the anticipated contract payments of $20 million to local units, which if implemented in proportion to the capture of taxes, would result in approximately $8 million to Ingham County.



BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners continues to question whether the use of the 1983 DDA is appropriate or legal for this purpose and that the Board shall continue to explore its legal options.



BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners objects to the inclusion of the 911, Juvenile Justice, Special Transportation, and Airport millages in any discussions or actions regarding the capture of property taxes.



BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in the interest of regional cooperation and avoiding the potential for litigation, the Board of Commissioners authorizes staff to negotiate an agreement with Lansing Charter Township within the five following parameters:



BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if no agreement has been reached by September 1, 2003, the County Attorney is directed to explore avenues of possible legal recourse and to present such findings to the Board of Commissioners.



BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution shall be sent to Lansing Charter Township, Capital Area Transportation Authority, Capital Area District Library, and Lansing Community College.



COUNTY SERVICES: Yeas: Celentino, Holman, De Leon, Schor, Nevin

Nays: None Absent: Severino Approved 6/3/03



FINANCE: Yeas: Grebner, Swope, Dedden, Hertel, Thomas

Nays: None Absent: Minter Approved 6/4/03