City DDA recommends updated Development/TIF Plan to city council

The Belleville Downtown Development Authority voted unanimously to approve the updated DDA Development/Tax Increment Financing Plan and send it on to the city council for a public hearing.
This was at the regular meeting of the DDA on Dec. 16. DDA member Brian Copsey was the only member absent.
As part of the vote, the DDA added attorney Kevin K. Kilby’s “conclusion” to the document. In his seven-page review of the Development Plan and the TIF Plan, which is in one document, he recommended the DDA amend Exhibit B, a listing of projects, to include:
• Install infrastructure improvements (water, sewer, roadways, street lighting, storm sewer, etc.) at the discretion of the DDA Board;
• Employ a DDA Coordinator;
• Purchase and perform beautification programs at the discretion of the DDA Board;
• Construct any project, hire the performance of and service, or perform any task that in the opinion of the DDA Board is needed for the prevention of economic deterioration, the increase of economic growth, and preserve historic character of the DDA District.
“As TIF revenues may only be spent on projects/services listed in Exhibit B, I would recommend that the DDA carefully review Exhibit B to ensure that all current and future projects/services are included,” attorney Kilby wrote.
He recommended including salaries for DDA staff including the DDA Coordinator, attorney, etc., if the DDA does not levy a millage.
He also wrote that Public Act 197 of 1975, as amended, requires that before the public hearing on the tax increment financing plan, the governing body shall provide a reasonable opportunity to the taxing jurisdictions levying taxes subject to capture to meet with the governing body.
For 2016, the Belleville DDA is expected to capture $16,950 from the Belleville Area District Library, $442,149 from the city of Belleville, $78,473 from Wayne County Community College, $5,196 from the Huron Clinton Metro Authority, and $190,509 from Wayne County for a total capture of $733,278 (minus $31,788, since the DDA agreed not to capture taxes from the city on the Columbia Court property).