By Carol Anders Staff Writer
PLYMOUTH — The city’s Redevelopment Commission met for nearly three hours Tuesday night only to learn that they will have only a few weeks to review the current TIF (Tax Increment Financing) projects list for any modifications.
The board members are now facing a July 1 deadline for making any changes to the boundaries of TIF areas or adding projects to their list.
What makes it especially challenging is the fact that four of the five commission members were appointed after Mayor Mark Senter took office in January of this year.

The city’s financial consultant, John Julien of Umbaugh and Associates, explained changes being put in place by the state pertaining to TIF areas. Julian said,” There were some fairly significant modifications to property tax structure in Indiana. One of the most significant is putting some additional processes in place.”
Julian said Plymouth has growth in all three of the TIF areas or allocation areas. He said the oldest is the area north of U.S. 30 from the shopping center plazas to Pioneer Hybrid that was created in 1993. One of the other TIF areas is in Plymouth downtown and the other is along Pine Road.
Julien explained that the “sunset” date for the TIF areas was 30 years. He said as of July 1, 2008 any modifications of boundaries for the TIF’s will be for a period of 25 years.
Julien cautioned the commission members to be careful in setting starting dates (for projects).
He said after the July 1 deadline, all added projects will have to go before the Redevelopment Commission, Plan Commission, City Council and be heard in a public hearing.
Julien said, “No one’s crystal ball is perfect.”
However, he advised the board members to be careful as they review projects.
He said, “I don’t think you want to do anything with a knee-jerk reaction.”
Julien said TIFs in some areas of the state have drifted from economic development to matters of funding. He said some projects should have been considered in capital improvements or essential improvements.
Audience member and local businessman John Oliver commented on the matter. Oliver said he thought the state was refocusing on what TIF was originally designed to do.
The only carryover from the previous administration was Frank Filson.
Filson said, “We didn’t realize it was so pressing. There are three TIF areas that have to be dealt with in different ways.”
An additional complication is the number of days that have to be allotted for notification of a pubic hearing on any changes. Plymouth Clerk-Treasurer Toni Hutchings indicated that it could take 13 days to have notices in place for a public hearing.
Commission member Ed DeMont said, “If we had done what the mayor asked —develop a strategic plan for each TIF area for this meeting — we would be done.” DeMont added, “I’m not too excited about crisis mode.’
Filson suggested board members could meet in groups of two members plus other community residents who could add information on each TIF.
However, new member Dan Tyree said, “I’d prefer we do this in public. Two at a time is easier, but the message we send to the public is secretive.”
It was decided that meetings will be set where the various projects will be discussed in a public format.
It was not noted whether the board would take public comments or use the meetings as work sessions.
Julien also explained that Marshall County must be notified by July 15 of any projects. Previously, only changes had to be forwarded to county officials.