City of Muscatine staff will provide two presentations to the Muscatine City Council during its In-Depth session Thursday (Dec. 8), the first on a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Policy for the City and the second on potential updates to nuisance regulations. The City Council meets at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Muscatine City Hall, 215 Sycamore Street, Muscatine, Iowa.
A virtual session will be held in conjunction with the in-person meeting for those who want to view the proceedings or make a comment but do not feel comfortable attending in person. Instructions for joining the virtual session are listed below.
City Administrator Carol Webb and City Finance Director Nancy Lueck have drafted a TIF policy with input from the City’s TIF legal counsel. The purpose of the policy is to document the goals of the TIF program and to establish structure and objectivity for evaluating economic development projects.
Incremental property taxes are the new property taxes generated by improvements to the project property. The amount of TIF funding available to a project is determined by multiplying the incremental property valuations by the year’s TIF tax rate. The TIF tax rate is determined by subtracting any protected levies (e.g., the debt service levies) from the consolidated tax rate of the property, while property valuations are independently determined by the Muscatine County Assessor unless determined by a minimum assessment agreement.
Establishing a standard policy and framework for economic incentives ensures that the City’s financial resources are used as efficiently and effectively as possible while accomplishing key City goals.
City staff will bring the policy forward for approval at a future meeting should City Council support the development of a City of Muscatine TIF Policy.
More information on the proposed policy can be found by clicking HERE.
The second presentation by Community Development staff regards the addition of 10 additional nuisances to City Code, the appeal process and administrative fees. The proposed additions already qualify as nuisances under the current City Code, but the more specific code would make understanding, complying with, and enforcing regulations easier for property owners, community members, and City staff.
More information on the proposed updates to City Code can be found by clickingHERE.
Information on the presentations and other agenda items can be found by clicking AGENDA to download a PDF version of the City Council agenda and/or attachments.
Thursday’s City Council meeting is open to the public. Citizens who do not want to attend the in-person meeting can watch and/or participate through the GoToMeeting virtual meeting portal. Information on joining the session and how to make a comment during the meeting is listed below. The session will also be broadcast live on the City of Muscatine YouTube channeland on Muscatine Power & Water Cable Channel 2.
On-Line Participation
To view or participate virtually, click on the link below or call in to the GoToMeeting. Be sure to mute your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone (press *6 when using phone or mute button on computer). At the appropriate time, you will be able to unmute your device to ask a question or make a comment. The public can also use the “chat” feature on GoToMeeting to pose a question to the Mayor, Council, or staff member. Those wishing to speak should use the chat box to post a message that will be seen by the Mayor who will address the questions or call on the speaker in turn. Those using their phones must wait until the Mayor asks for additional comments. The mayor will recognize you prior to you addressing the Council.
Muscatine City Council Meeting | Thursday, December 8, 2022 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (CDT)
Join the meeting from your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone by clicking the following link: https://www.gotomeet.me/CityofMuscatine/city-council-meeting
You can also use your phone by dialing +1 (669) 224-3412, follow the prompts, and type in Access Code 970-499-597 when prompted.
The link, phone number, and access code are the same for both meetings. You can remain logged on between meetings or exit and re-enter at the appropriate time.
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/970499597
Original source can be found here.
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