6.0. EDSR 03-13-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1. POLICY PURPOSE Far the purpoe~e~~ of thin document, the term "City" rhald include the Elk River City Council, Fconomu DevelopmentAutharity, and Houring and Redevelofinent Authority. "I'he purpose of this policy is to establish the City of Elk River's position relating to the use of Tax Abatement fox private development above and beyond the requirements and limitations set forth by State Law. This policy shall be used as a guide in the processing and review of applications requesting Tax Abatement assistance. 1'he fundamental purpose of providing Tax Abatement in Elk River is to encourage desirable development or redevelopment that would not otherwise occur but for the assistance provided through the Tax Abatement. The City of Elk River is granted the power to utilize Tax Abatement by the Minnesota Tax Abatement Act, as amended. It is the intent of the City to provide the minimum amount of Tax Abatement, as well as other incentives, at the shortest term required for the project to proceed. Preference is given to projects in which the total amount of'1'ax Abatement request includes participation from the county. The City xeseroes the right to approve ox reject projects on a case by case basis, taking into consideration established policies, project criteria, and demand on city services in relation to the potential benefits from the project Meeting policy criteria does not guarantee the award of Tax Abatement to the project. Approval ox denial of one project is not intended to set precedent fox approval or denial of another project. II. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TAX ABATEMENT AND TAX INCREMENT FINANCING The primary difference between Tax Abatement and Tax Increment Financing (I'IF) is the way in which the dollars are awarded to the project. When TIP is awarded to a project by the city, the other taxing jurisdictions (the school district and the county) arc required to contribute their portion of the increased taxes to the project. Conversely, when Tax Abatement is requested, each political subdivision has the option of gxantuig its portion of the increased taxes to the project Subsequently, the dollars generated fox the project with Tax Abatement axe generally less than the dollars generated with TIF. III. OBJECTIVES OF TAX ABATEMENT As a matter of adopted policy, the City will consider using Tax Abatement to assist private development projects to achieve one ox more of the following objectives: • To retain local jobs and/ox increase the number and diversity of jobs that offer stable employment and/ox attractive wages and benefits as defined in the Ciry's Business Subsidy Policy. • To enhance and diversify the City of Elk River's economic base. • To encourage additional unsubsidized private development in the area, either directly ox indirectly through "spin off' development. Cit3- of Elk River Tax Abatement Policy 1"Draft Amended ;~laxch 2006 3-