HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2015 - 16 Urban Renewal Interim CommitteeA MUNICIPAL CORPOMTION OF IDAHO
CI1'Y OF
REXBURG
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OFFICE OF THEMAYOR
35 North I't East
P.O. Box 280
Rexburg, Idaho 83440
(208) 359-3020
Fa-x: (208) 359-3022
rvrrv.rcxburg.org
RICHARD S. WOODLAND
Mayor
Rexbutg City Council:
SALLY SMITH
DONNA BENFIELD
JORDAN BUSBY
CHRISTOPHER MANN
JERRY MERRILL
BRAD WOLFE
Decembet 17.2015
Senator Dan Johnson, Co-Chair
Representative Rick Youngblood, Co-Chair
Urban Renewal Interim Committee
P.0.Box 83720
Boise,Idaho 83720
Via E-Mail
Dear Senator Johnson, Representative Youngblood and Committee Membets:
On behalf of the Citizens of Rexbutg and Madison County who have seen economic growth come to
Rexbutg through Urban Renewal Projects, we thank you for yorr work to review Idahots urban renewal law.
Urban tenewal has been the only economic engine to accomplish gtowth for Rexburg. "Rexburg, Idaho hasgrown over 60 Percent since 200Q inueasing its population from 171000 to just over 301000 in 12
yeats" - RanQt Shurzway Zions Bank Economic A&,,itor Category: buinus Pubtished; 05 SEnnber 2015.
We understand you are again considering significant legislative amendments to Urban Renewal.
Attached is Resolution 2015-16, which was adopted at our City Council Meeting last night. Urban renewal is
an issue of gteat importance to us, and we respectfirlly request that the Interim Committee fully support
Idaho's urban tenewal law. We also ask that you carefully consider ways to make this tool broader, easier to
use and more effective rather than more restrictive.
As a tool, urban renewal benefits both large and small communities as an affordable option to remove blight,
to promote, provide and receive public infrastructure, and to promote economic growth. This tool allows
growth to pay for needed public infrastructure and other improvements through taxes collected over time,
which benefits all citizens.
Flowever, we need a more flexible and effective urban renewal tool. The entire state of Idaho has the ability
and opportunity to become more competitive, increase its tax base, and be more successful. Our urban
renewal lavr is a primary key to this success.
Please feel ftee to contact us regarding our strong support of uban renewal or to discuss what ideas and
suggestions the City of Rexburg has concerning this important issue.
CouncilMembers:
Council President Sallv S
Donna Ben
Jotdan Busby
Christoph
Jerry Merri
Btad Wolfe
EQUAT- OPPORTI INITY EMPLOYER
VE]'ERAN'S PREFERENCE
AN
REXBURG
RESOLUTION NO: 2015 - 16
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, A MUNICIPAI
CORPORATION OF IDAHO, EXPRESSING THE RE)GURG CITY
COUNCIL'S SUPPORT FOR URBAN RENEI$(/AI AND REQUESTING
THAT ACTION BE TAKEN BY THE IDAHO LEGISLATORS ANDINTERIM COMMITTE,E MEMBERS TO PROVIDE THEIR FULL
SUPPORT BY CONSIDERING AND ADOPTING MORE FLEXIBLEAND EFFECTME TOOLS AND SOLUTIONS THAT ALLOIUT FOR
SUCCESSFUL ADMINISTRATION AND EXECUTION OF URBAN
RENEWAL IN IDAHO.
!7HEREAS, the City of Rexbutg and its Council Members extend their gtatitude for
the service hetetofore ptovided by the Idaho Legislators and Interim ComrnitteJMembets fortheir support of uban renewal and economic developmeat; and
WHEREAS, 9. City of Rexbug and its Council Members respectfully request
increased support by the Idaho Legislators and Interim Committee Members ,r *t"t renewal
is a topic discussed annualiy and is presentiy being considered for significant amendment; and
WHEREAS, 9: City of Rexlt'tg and its Council Members wish to provide thefollowing recommendations which provide mote flexibility and effectivenes-s to be consideredin ptepatation of future legislative sessions and code adoption:
1. Urban renewal law should be mote flexible with more options and more
opporn:nity, not less;
2. Urban rcnewal law should be refotmed to he$ Idaho be more competitive by
expanding its purpose and ability as a firlly functional and streamlired economic
development tool;
Utban Reneural law should allow gteater local decision making and be mole user-
ftiendly with less bureaucracy and less impediments; and
Urban Renewal Boatds should not be elected for vadous and significant reasons.
Reguiring the election of uban renewal board memben could Jh-g. *rndependent public body, colporate andpolitic, into a political subdivision of the
State of Idaho. This would make said goveming body subject to Article VIII
Section 3 of the Idaho Constitution which would requfue a 2f 3 vote of the electors,of the political subdivision, to vote on any debt that Lxceeds the income and
3.
4.
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REXEUBG
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revenue of the agency for that year. Such a change may not be legal under the
cuffent laws ofthe State of Idaho. Therefore, Urban Renewal Agincies should be
appointed by the local legislative body; and
Due tothe currently rcqufued public process, Urban Renewal Plans andAgencies
should be officially acknowledged by the Legislatue as plans and bodies tf,at do
have tepresentation and oversight by the locally elected officials; and
Thete should be a minimum number of years set by 1"* lg5trigring any
considerations to make changes to the urban renewal laws at the legislative level.
The annual visitation of the urban renewal laws hindets our ability io convince
potential investors that Idaho is not a dsk. Additionally, a bill should be specifically
wdtten to protect exisflng urban tenewal plans, TIF increment and debtpayment '
as sruance from legislative change.
NO!r, THEREFORE, BE, IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RE)CBURG, that the City of Rexburg and its Council Members hereby support and
encoruage the Idaho Legislators and Intedm Cornmittee Members to firlly."pp""t uban
renewal in Idaho and catefully considet ways to make this tool broader, easier io .tr". and more
effective in futue legislative sessions and potenriql geds adoption.
RESOLVED this 76h day of Decemb et 2015.
CITYOFREXBURG
ATTEST:
5.
6.
Blair D. Kay, City Clerk
RESOLUTION 2015 _ 16