Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

Terry Dunlap's ''Gift''

Future tax-sharing agreements could include some of the same conditions as those in the deal already negotiated with Pickerington , Dunlap said.
But Sabatino points out that Pickerington , unlike Canal Winchester and Lancaster, was asked to make a detailed agreement before a specific development project came along.
Some cities and villages agree to link with townships in hopes of attracting commercial development that would not be available otherwise.
''We have seen rapid growth through Fairfield County, and we want to support the Rt. 33 growth area,'' said Lancaster Mayor David S. Smith.
Use of such districts is limited to businesses, offices and industries. It cannot be applied to new homes.
Newark and Etna Township have established a variation called a joint economic-development zone. ProLogis is developing a 220-acre industrial site in the township that is expected to create about 1,000 jobs.
Newark will administer the income tax that workers will pay, estimated at more than $20 million over 30 years, and divide it among the city, township, Licking County and the Southwest Licking school district, said Stephen Fowler, the city?’s economic-development director.
Violet Township wants the same mind-set from Pickering ton, Dunlap said.
''Look at Grove City and Jackson Township, Westerville and Blendon Township, Worthington and Sharon Township, Hilliard and Prairie Township, New Albany and Plain Township ?— they?’re all prospering. That?’s what we want.''
krichards@dispatch.com
mlane@dispatch.com

Do the numbers first

Let me do some math here first before we jump on the band wagon. Newark is going to administrator $20 million in income taxes revenues over the next 30 years. That works out to $666,666 per year. They are dividing that by four governments. That works out to be $166,666 per government if the tax revenues are split equally. Now the schools seem to make out because there are no kids in a commercial development and they are receiving extra cash for the district. Probably pay for a couple of teachers.

Who takes care of the roads and police for the area? For those providing the services are they getting a higher portion of the revenues? Were there any up front investments in infrastructure and who is paying the debt service on that infrastructure? Is the property taxes for this property abated if it is then there a wash with the school funding. If these properties are abated what happens when the abatements run out?

when abatements run out

The companies move to another area.

Why here?

If any of you have had the opportunity to drive the US 33 bypass around Lancaster it makes one wonder why the City of Lancaster would be up here in Violet Township entering into deals with this area when they have so much development land available closer to home.

Then again if they tie up Canal Winchester and Pickerington from annexing township lands up here then they could continue to grow and expand and keep them the big dog of the county.