November 30, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Council Starts Tax Levy Talks;
Approves Shopping Center Redevelopment Agreement
DECATUR – The Decatur City Council began its discussion of the city’s annual property tax levy Monday night, ultimately directing the City Manager and staff to return next week with a series of scenarios based on various levels of property tax funding and employee cuts.
The discussion was held in study session meaning that no vote was taken.
The city council requested that the manager return with scenarios detailing the amount of necessary staff reductions if the tax levy is left at last year’s level with no increase and if there is an increase in the tax levy of 7.5%. Each year the city has a list of certain obligations that it currently pays from property taxes, including police, fire and other employee pensions, funding for the library, municipal band and bond debt service.
Last year those costs totaled about $12 million and this year it has been determined that those costs will be about $12.68 million. A public hearing on the issue has been scheduled for December 7 during the regularly scheduled city council meeting and the council is required to pass the tax levy by December 29.
In other business the council approved a redevelopment agreement with Niemann Holdings, LLC for the redevelopment of the Pines Shopping Center, the next step in the establishment of a Tax Increment Financing District to support the redevelopment of the property. The developer plans to invest at least $8.4 million in the property to redevelop the site and construct a new Save-A-Lot grocery store.
For more information contact Billy Tyus at 424-2753.