JOPLIN, Mo. —
Jasper County officials expect to incur some loss in revenue if Joplin’s proposed tax increment financing district is established, but they believe there is potential to make up for it as projects tied to the plan develop.
The city’s TIF Commission is expected to take a vote at a meeting today after hearing any final testimony that may be offered at a 5:30 p.m. public hearing. The commission, an advisory panel, would send its recommendation to the City Council.
The TIF proposal would encompass a large section of central Joplin, including most of the tornado damage zone and downtown. It would freeze tax revenues for other taxing entities such as the Joplin School District, Jasper County and the Joplin Special Road District at post-tornado levels. They are all represented on the TIF Commission.
Increases that come from property taxes and half of any increase seen in sales tax revenue in the TIF district would be designated for a special fund that would be used to issue bonds toward about $800 million in proposed tornado redevelopment projects. The TIF plan would be in place for 23 years.
The county collects a three-eighths-cent sales tax for general revenue, a quarter-cent sales tax for law enforcement, and a quarter-cent sales tax for road and bridge work. The county 911 Board receives funding from a one-tenth-cent countywide sales tax.
Darieus Adams, the Western District Jasper County commissioner and a member of the TIF Commission, said the TIF proposal would cost the county about $84,000 in revenue initially, but that there is agreement that the county will be paid an administrative fee for any hard costs incurred in monitoring the TIF revenue, such as employee time or software.
He described the agreement on the costs as fair. “I think it will capture any expenses we have,” he said. “We certainly hope there will be an increase in sales tax, which will offset any real estate tax losses.”
The county also has a property levy of 8.23 cents per $100 assessed valuation for mental health services and another at the same rate for assistance to the developmentally disabled through the Jasper County Sheltered Facilities Board.
Sarah Duffy McConnell, chairwoman of the Jasper County Mental Health Tax Board, said the board expects to see some impact, but not anything significant. “I’m sure it will be workable for all of us,” she said. The board does not know exactly how much the TIF district would curb proceeds, but it says that after the May 22, 2011, tornado, revenue from the mental health property tax went down about $17,000 because of the loss of valuation. She said she would expect that reduction to continue since the TIF plan would freeze tax revenues at that level.
Services have not suffered, though, McConnell said. She said that Ozark Center and Lafayette House, two chief providers of mental health services, have been able to obtain several grants that would not have been available had it not been for the tornado and those in need of help as a result.
She said she favors the TIF proposal even though it may affect tax proceeds. “Anything that helps the city grow will help us grow,” she said.
Alecia Archer, executive director of the Jasper County Sheltered Facilities Board, said the TIF district would affect revenue, “but we are not sure what that effect will be. In the long run, we would support it because it would generate more revenue over time. We’re just looking out for the long term.”
County Auditor Richard Webster said it is difficult to foresee how county sales tax collections would be affected, including the three-eighths-cent general tax. “We’re hoping it will remain the same as it as now, which is $6 million a year for the county,” he said. “But until there is significant commercial development in the TIF district, it’s hard to say.”
The Joplin Special Road District also receives tax revenue. A spokesman for the district could not be reached for comment.
Today’s meetings
THE TIF COMMISSION will hold a study session at 3 p.m. today to wrap up discussions on the proposal before a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 602 S. Main St.
May 2011 Joplin tornado
Taxing entities focusing on long-term potential for growth via TIF plan
- May 2011 Joplin tornado
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Rick Rescorla award named for hero of Vietnam War, 9-11 terror attacks
The Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience is named for a 62-year-old vice president of security for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. who directed an evacuation of the company’s 2,700-person workforce in the South Tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2011.
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SLIDESHOW: One year later, One day of unity, updated
Photos from a day of events commemorating the May 22, 2011 tornado anniversary
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Community gearing up for two-year anniversary ceremony this afternoon
With the playground full of children, it could be any other day at Joplin’s Cunningham Park, but the white tents popping up and neat rows of white chairs lined up nearby indicate something more is happening today.
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Farmers Insurance teams up with Rebuild Joplin
Farmers Insurance announced Tuesday that the company will team up with Rebuild Joplin for an initiative to help the community complete its recovery efforts. The company already has placed one of its executives in Joplin, and it is pledging additional funds and volunteer hours by company workers to go toward the city’s recovery.
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Joplin man continues struggle to recover two years after tornado
As the Joplin tornado passed overhead, sweeping the house at 2430 S. Pennsylvania Ave. away in its wake, there was a moment of calm. Delbert Mcguirk was on his back in the basement, where he had sought shelter along with his wife, daughter and two grandchildren. In that moment of relative quiet, he stared up into the eye of the tornado.
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Storms cause damage throughout the Four States
Four-State Area residents hunkered down twice Monday to ride out tornadoes and powerful spring storms, then went to work cleaning up. The worst damage from Monday night’s storm was being reported in Ottawa County, Okla., near Wyandotte. That followed a report of an EF-1 tornado early Monday morning near Carthage.
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Two plead guilty to post-tornado wire theft
Two defendants pleaded guilty Monday to stealing copper wire from utility poles in the wake of the May 22, 2011, tornado that struck Joplin. Timothy M. Silveria, 45, of Joplin, and Nycoa K. Kracht, 32, of Laurel, Ind., entered open pleas of guilty in Jasper County Circuit Court to felony counts of theft from a public utility.
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FACES OF RECOVERY: 176,869 volunteers help put Joplin together again
They initially came in droves, pouring into Joplin by the thousands during the months following the May 2011 tornado to clear debris, clean up damaged homes and businesses and distribute donations of food, water, clothing and other necessities.
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Therapy dogs
Any question that Louie was bred to put people as ease is put to rest when the golden retriever trots over to where a visitor sits and puts his head on their knee, the dog’s eyes filled with a gentle affection.
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Nova Kluseman and Jeanne Morrow
Nova Kluseman has staked her claim on Wednesdays at the Mercy medical office clinics where she volunteers. The staff at Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri will know it’s Thursday when they see Jeanne Morrow walk through the door.
- More May 2011 Joplin tornado Headlines
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