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TIF Selection Process Whitepaper <br /> for Arden Hills <br /> February 1, 2011 <br /> Summary <br /> We recommend that the City Council: <br /> 1. Establish long-term TIF assessment criteria <br /> 2. Develop a point-based assessment system <br /> Background <br /> TIF <br /> The original argument made to legislatures to create TIF was that it created a way for cash- <br /> strapped communities to finance the upfront costs associated with redeveloping blighted areas, <br /> most commonly cleanup/remediation costs and infrastructure improvements. Subsidized <br /> • redevelopment in an area could then spur future, unsubsidized redevelopment. <br /> TIF has long-term effects that need to be considered when making a decision about providing <br /> TIF for a project. "Unlike property taxes, increments are not used to pay for the general costs of <br /> cities, counties, and schools. Instead, increments go to the development authority and are used to <br /> repay public indebtedness or current costs the city incurred in acquiring the property,removing <br /> existing structures or installing public services." (League of Minnesota Cities) <br /> FPAC Committee <br /> Arden Hills already has TIF Districts and anticipates the need for more TIF financing. The <br /> Financial Planning and Analysis Committee was asked to look at how the City selects TIF <br /> projects and make recommendations about the process. The Committee addressed three broad <br /> questions: <br /> • How much of the city's tax base can it afford to have in TIF Districts? <br /> • How does the city best allot its TIF dollars to support its long term goals?(First come, <br /> first served may not provide the best outcome for the city.) <br /> • Are there tools or methods that will help city leadership assess each TIF request? <br /> The committee has reviewed cases and policies from other cities around the United States as well <br /> as processes used in corporate America to evaluate long-term strategic options and projects. <br /> TIF Decision Process Overview <br /> There are many tools the City of Arden Hills can use to drive development in the city, including <br /> • preferential use of city facilities, loans,direct subsidies,property tax abatement,and Tax Increment <br /> Page 1 of 6 <br />