Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

Looks like the natives are restless landowners...I got a flyer on my mailbox today encourging everyone to attend the Regional Planning Commission meeting Tuesday night at 7:30 pm at the County Court House to voice opinions against the Big Box development in Violet Township to the commission. This flyer was not printed by ORRD and it was distributed to about 400 homes or more from what I can determine. Go early Tuesday to get your seat.

Time to eat crow

A few years ago when the City of Pickerington was getting hit with so many issues and the one main complaint was the city's over use of the TIF. I know many of those complaints were coming from Township residents. As if to chime in Terry Dunlap made a big deal out of the fact the township had secured a new Kroger's store and they had not used TIFs or abatements or any other inducements to get them to build their store across from the North High School.

However I read this zoning report and it appears to do all of the needed road improvements they are applying for a TIF/JEDD. Which means they will need to get Pickerington or some other municipality to do a TIF.

I think I need to go to the library tomorrow and get copies of Dunlap's comments back in 2002 and maybe put a little salt on them for Terry to eat.

CHECK THE DIFFERENCE

There is a difference between a JEDD and a TIF.
Might be good to research them before you start yelling TIF.

Read the rezoning application

I know the difference between and a JEDD and a TIF. I also read the Regional Planning Commission report and that is how they (The applicants) plan to finance the needed infrastructure improvements.

Townships can not issue TIFs They must be issued by either the county or a municipality. Terry Dunlap was referring to TIFs with his comments on the Kroger store because I heard him with my own ears.

In addition who is going to guarantee this TIF? I understand that the City of Pickerington has more than one TIF not making enough revenue in increased property taxes to pay the debt for the infrastructure already built. Pickerington's improvements pale in comparison to what is needed at Refugee and Pickerington Roads. If this project doesn't work out who is going to take on the responsibility for making the debt service payments for the bonds issued to build and widen the roads in this area? Pickerington is paying for their improvements out of their general fund. If Pickerington can pledge the value in their personal real estate located in Pickerington for these general obligation bonds then I guess the township residents will do the same.

Wal-Mart in Reynoldsburg got a 30 year TIF and they were within sight of a freeway. This store is three miles away and no road in between.

Thank you Terry.

The second part of this is who will do the JEDD (Joint Economic Development District) with the township. Has the City of Pickerington agreed to do this? With this proposed JEDD will the city then be responsible for the TIF loans? I bet that will going over like a lead balloon.

Also Rita I remember that you were concerned in the minutes a few years ago about who pays the debt on the TIFs and your answer from the council was the general fund. Now you seem to be sticking it to whom ever steps up to do the JEDD which more than likely will be Pickerington.

Thanks Rita Have a happy retirement