EDA Minutes - 09/13/2023 (Joint Workshop)MINUTES
JOINT WORKSHOP ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY/CITY COUNCIL
Wednesday, September 13, 2023 — 5:00 p.m.
Monticello Community Center
Commissioners Present: President Steve Johnson, Vice President Jon Morphew, Treasurer
Councilmembers Present:
Councilmembers Absent:
Staff Present:
1. Call to Order
Hali Sittig, 011ie Koropchak-White, Rick Barger
Mayor Lloyd Hilgart, Charlotte Gabler, Tracy Hinz
Sam Murdoff, Lee Martie
Jim Thares, Angela Schumann, Sarah Rathlisberger
President Steve Johnson called the joint workshop meeting of the Economic
Development Authority and City Council to order at 5:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Mr. Johnson called the roll.
3. Tax Abatement Overview and Policies
Community Development Director Angela Schumann provided an overview of the
agenda item to the EDA, City Council, and the public. Previously, on June 14, 2023, the
Monticello EDA held a workshop meeting, during which, Tammy Omdahl, Financial
Advisor from Northland Securities Public Finance, gave a presentation on Tax Increment
Financing and Tax Abatement and addressed capabilities of implementing tax
abatement as part of the City's business subsidy policy overall. City staff provided the
group with a draft tax abatement policy for review and discussion.
The goals of the proposed policy were defined as to align with the overall economic
development goals identified within the Monticello 2040 Vision + Plan (Comp Plan). The
City intends to provide tax abatement assistance to encourage desirable development
or redevelopment in the City that would not occur but for the abatement, and leverage
abatement and other public dollars to maximize private sector investment in the City.
Mayor Lloyd Hilgart asked if the City could use tax abatement the same way as they
have utilized TIF to reimburse itself for land cost related to development. Ms. Schumann
confirmed.
Councilmember Charlotte Gabler asked if the annual changes to the City's tax capacity
would affect the amount of abatement that can be provided annually. Finance Director
Sarah Rathlisberger said yes, and the maximum amount of property taxes that can be
abated each year cannot exceed 10 percent of the total capacity. The maximum allowed
for abatement is established by state statute.
Ms. Schumann clarified that with any project looking to use tax abatement, findings
related to the following would be presented to the EDA and City Council prior to
approval: Benefits of the project to the City will be equal to or greater than the cost of
the Abatement; Project would not be feasible but -for the granting of the Abatement;
Project is in conformity with the City's Comprehensive Plan, Land Use Plan and Zoning
Ordinances and the Abatement Act.
Mayor Hilgart mentioned that it would be good for the City to ensure the proposed Tax
Abatement policy aligns with the already established Tax Abatement policy through
Wright County. Staff confirmed that that has been a consideration throughout the
drafting of the proposed policy document.
Councilmember Tracy Hinz noted that she would be interested in seeing a scoring
criterion for projects wanting to use the Tax Abatement policy, like the EDA has for
other subsidy programs. Ms. Schumann clarified that it is staff's intention to utilize a
scoring system that can highlight City policy goals that would be met with proposed
projects.
Both bodies were in consensus that a policy should be brought forward to the EDA and
City Council for adoption.
No action was taken on the item.
4. Adjournment
TRACY HINZ MOVED TO ADJOURN THE JOINT WORKSHOP OF THE MONTICELLO EDA
AND CITY COUNCIL. HALI SITTIG SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY, 8-0. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 5:54 P.M.
Recorded By: Hayden Stensgard /¢�
Date Approved: December 13, 2023
ATTEST:
are$, Executive Director