Another "upscale development" bites the dust. Vigilant school district on hand. I guess nobody explained to them how good and harmless this would be for them.
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/212624,5_WA16_tif.article
Riverside Info » About Riverside
Lindenhurst Fears Lawsuit, Drops TIF Plan
(26 posts)-
Posted Saturday Feb 24, 2007 16:27 #
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The school district threatened a lawsuit.
Why can't ours?Posted Saturday Feb 24, 2007 17:33 # -
I brought up the Pleasantdale lawsuit to Ms jenson afterwards and she seemed surprised. Then she repeated to me what she told everyone else that they are working to get the best deal for district 96 that they can. I then said (recalling Mr Pollock's proposal ) that I assume that they are working to get a 100 pct refund back to the school.
She kind of shook her head and then repeated what she said in public that the school district was interested in a 'vibrant cbd', clearly meaning, to me, that they are not going for the Pollock proposal. She repeated to me that they were pushing for an early end of the TIF.
I am not surprised since I have not heard incisive questions from district 96 from the beginning.
http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic.php?id=35&replies=38#post-508Since no one is saying anything, I feel free to interpolate: I bet that the village reminded district 96 that 96 already has a big chunk of the pie, so let the village do this initiative w/o too much interference (bully pulpit). my .02
Posted Saturday Feb 24, 2007 17:43 # -
MikeT,
Or perhaps they are smart folks who realized that this proposal will likely have no downside for them and tremendous upside. Remember, Dr. Lamberson has already worked in a school district that had a TIF and he is obviously aware of the benefits a school district can reap from a properly structured TIF district.
Posted Saturday Feb 24, 2007 18:14 # -
Anyone, what kind of experience has Lamberson had with tifs in the past? Where?
Posted Saturday Feb 24, 2007 18:57 # -
He was in Lake Forest. Check him out there.
Posted Saturday Feb 24, 2007 19:07 # -
He was first in Barrington District #220 - that school district includes 12 different towns and is located in 4 separate counties. I'm sure there are TIF districts there, but I also imagine that there are different concerns because of the fact that the district is "diluted" by having so many communities. (The district includes Barrington - and all of its cousins: North Bar., South Bar., Barr. Hills, Lake Bar. and other places like Inverness and Hoffman Estates.)
In Lake Forest, though, the TIF district was established in 1988 and is set to run out in 2011. When he was there, it was already well underway. Here's what I found that is connected to the TIF in Lake Forest - I don't know what it all means, but that's for someone else to do:
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City Council
November 16, 2000 Proceedings - This is BEFORE Dr. Lamberson was Superintendent - he was still at Barrington.ORDINANCE #00-46: FOR THE LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF TAXES FOR EACH OF THE TAX LEVY YEARS BEGINNING 2000 AND ENDING 2019 IN AND FOR THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST SPECIAL SERVICE AREA NUMBER 15:
Superintendent Harry Griffith reported that 4-5 years ago the School District 67 did a comprehensive plan of the educational needs in the district. At that time it was decided that the School District would not ask the tax payers for a bond referendum for the renovation of the schools. In turn, moneys were raised by a TIF District and a Special Service Area for school renovations. It was noted that on January 3, the City
Council has passed an ordinance establishing Special Service Area 15, for the purpose of providing educational services to benefit the properties within the district. The proposed ordinance would extend the special tax levy for each of the taxable parcels within special Service Area 15. Alderman Lansing moved, seconded by Alderman Mohr to approve first reading of the ordinance. Motion carried.ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION: Mr. Kiely reported that it was Mayor Kerr's
birthday on November 17, and a birthday cake would be served after the meeting to all present. :) I thought this was nice :)**********************************************************************
This is from May 20, 2004: Dr. Lamberson was Superindentent.
TIF DISTRICT PRESENTATION: The members of the Joint Review Board (JRB) were introduced. TIF Consultant Leslie Murphy reported that the TIF District was established in 1988. She reported that the original goals of the TIF were: to provide a land use and economic plan; to encourage the redevelopment of vacant and underutilized sites; and to diversify and strengthen the City's residential and commercial property tax base.
Finance Director Kathy Reinertsen reported on the TIF District tax increment revenue to debt service payments and other financial commitments. Director of Community Development Cathy Czerniak reported on options for future projects that the Plan Commission has had discussions on. The Lakota Group has prepared a concept site plan. Options discussed have included a proposed promenade, and the proposed concept of reconfiguring the buildings to make them more pedestrian and bicycle friendly. She explained that if the City Council were interested in moving forward with any of these concepts, the Lakota Group could be asked to prepare a more detailed plan.
There was discussion on the period of time left on the TIF District. Ms. Murphy explained that under a new law, new revenue could be accessed in year 23. It was noted that approximately $3 million would be available in the last year of the TIF.
High School Superintendent Jon Lamberson explained that under the current schedule, the
revenue would affect the children during the 2010-2011 school year. Jay Whipple, School
District 115, expressed that the TIF District has been a wonderful success; however,
expressed considering ending the TIF as early as possible due to the lack of revenues. He added that the high school received no compensation for the additional homes that the TIF District brought to the community.Ms. Murphy reported on the flexibilities available to assist other taxing bodies where there is a lack of revenues. She explained the only way to help the high school substantially is to accelerate the expiration of the TIF. Mayor Preschlack explained that it would behoove everyone to find creative ways to shorten the length of the TIF.
Mr. Kiely reported that staff would report back in September or October with some
recommendations.That's all I have!
Posted Sunday Feb 25, 2007 01:15 # -
Thanks, Elisa, for the info. good digging. I like one of the items that said that the TIF was successful, but that they couldn't wait for it to be over with. curious that this is dr lamberson's advice here, too.
Reminds me of The Fiddler on the Roof,
The rabbi's prayer,
Oh, Lord, please keep the Czar...
...FAR AWAY from us !
Posted Sunday Feb 25, 2007 01:42 # -
Elisa,
Thanks for digging it up. As I suspected, Dr. Lamberson's experiences with a TIF have been positive but have also thought him how to properly structure one to minimize downsize risk and maximize upside benefit for the schools. I found this passage especially interesting, "At that time it was decided that the School District would not ask the tax payers for a bond referendum for the renovation of the schools. In turn, moneys were raised by a TIF District and a Special Service Area for school renovations". What this means is that the TIF district in Lake Forest included some school buildings and as a result the TIF was able to distribute funds to the school ditrict for capital improvements, obviating the need for a capital improvement tax increase referendum. This approach amounts to a back door make whole agreement for the schools. Sound familiar? This is exactly what the EDC was advocating for when we passed our qualified resolution in support of a TIF. I was very happy to hear Nancy Jensen include this request as one of the key points that the school board will need to provide their support for a TIF.
As far as the length of a TIF is concerned, obviously it behooves everyone to have a very successful TIF whose full benefits can be realized earlier than the standard 23 year life expectancy. The sooner the TIF ends, the sooner the schools get their hands on the full windfall that was created through wise investment and some sacrifice many years earlier. To draw an analogy, it's no different than wanting to open your Christmas present a few days earlier because you want to wear that new sweater to an office Christmas party.
Posted Sunday Feb 25, 2007 07:25 # -
I just was looking at www.champion.org
Lamberson was making $273,440 in 2005 in Lake Forest, but took a job in Riverside in 2006 for $200,791.
In addition he brought the Central Principal with him, Dr. Limperis. She was making $148,581 in Lake Forest in 2005, but in 2006 is making $117,155 in Riverside.
I thought that was odd that they both took substantial pay cuts. Riverside must be a really special place for them to do that. Or, maybe Lake Forest had a problem with them?
Posted Sunday Feb 25, 2007 07:35 #
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