MANSFIELD — Mansfield City Council is expected to vote Tuesday night on a property tax incentive plan to spur local economic development.
The proposed legislation would create a new community reinvestment area, a program that was key to the re-development of the downtown, especially the Carrousel District, according to Tim Bowersock, the city’s economic development director.
The city’s last CRA was allowed to lapse in 2007, he said. The new CRA would cover all of Mansfield and would be similar to the city’s enterprise zone for industrial projects, which has been in operation for two decades.
It will be discussed during council’s economic development committee meeting at 6:45 p.m. All council sessions, including committee meetings, are being live-streamed on the city’s Facebook page during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“If it wasn’t for that (property) tax abatement program, that downtown development may never have happened,” Bowersock said Monday afternoon. “We’re lagging a little now.”
Bowersock,who presented the proposal to the Mansfield City School board of education last week, said the CRA could be used for industrial, commercial and residential projects. He said it could cover new construction and/or remodeling.
Each project request would be considered on its individual merits, according to Bowersock, who said property tax abatements could be up to 100 percent, usually in the area of 12 to 15 years.
Under the CRA, the project developer or company would work out an agreement with the school district that includes the property. Bowersock said a company would usually pay the district about 50 percent of the normal property tax.
In other action Tuesday, council is expected to:
— discuss during caucus a $58,000 contract with Allied Technical Services, Inc., for the inspection and cleaning of the city’s water treatment plant service line. Funds for the contract, which is being offered without competitive bidding, will come from the water treatment plant’s contractual services budget line.
— vote to honor payroll clerk Cheryl McClain, who is retiring from the city’s finance department after more than 30 years.
— vote on a proposal to authorize the Ohio Department of Transportation to perform bridge repairs this summer on Ohio 430 over Maple Run. No city funds are required for the work.
— vote to allow the city’s public works director to advertise for and enter into a contract to purchase road salt supplies for the winter of 2020-2021.
— consider accepting a $240,740.74 drug enforcement grant from the Ohio Department of Criminal Justice Services for the METRICH Enforcement Unit. There are no local matching funds required. The money will be used for drug investigations, equipment and supplies within the 10-county METRICH area.
— discuss during caucus spending $10,000 for computer equipment for the finance department.
— vote to authorize the safety-service director to renew a contract for fair housing services with the Richland County Board of Commissioners and the Richland County Regional Planning Commission.
Proposed legislation regarding the sale of land in the area of 500 North Main Street has been pulled from consideration.
The evening begins with a 6:20 p.m. claims committee and a 6:35 p.m. finance committee session. The full council caucus and legislative session are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
Residents with public comments are questions for council can email them to citycouncil@ci.mansfield.oh.us. Please include your name and address so it can be forwarded to the correct council member. Please also specify if you want your question or comment read during the meeting.
