Follow The Money

by Ron West

This is the first in what I plan to be a series of articles regarding “Tax Increment Financing Districts” commonly referred to by politicians as TIF’s. To acquaint you with a TIF, I have created the two following items:

1. An ordinance enacted by North Richland Hills City Council on October 25, 1999. This

is identified as Ordinance 2420. I encourage you to carefully read the third paragraph of

this ordinance

2. A Map – showing the largely vacant land in the middle of the City of North Richland Hills that would have to be classified as highly valuable and subject to development without too much government involvement.

This land in the outline on the map was valued on the tax rolls at slightly over $12 Million in

1999. Currently, the expected tax value from this land is forecast to be over $400 Million. The entire difference between $12 Million and the expected valuation of $400 Million plus – is going to generate taxes that are controlled by a board of people appointed by the City Council and without input from any voters. Let me say that a different way – 100% of all tax revenue on an estimated $388 Million Dollars of property in NRH is being earmarked for special development projects under the control on a board of directors that you do not elect.

We are continuing to research the origin of this TIF and how it was determined that it was a good deal for the citizens of NRH. We are also researching the State Law(s) that permitted this creation. We are aware that over $10 Million Dollars of this money is already earmarked for a new library to be located in the Hometown NRH area. Another $21 Million Dollars is earmarked for a new Recreation Center with a rock climbing wall and an exotic swimming pool complex. We believe that additional funds are earmarked for a Performing Arts Center and – despite assurances of our current City Manager – we believe that there have been discussions regarding the building of a New City Hall – now referred to as a Town Hall. All of this development is funded with taxes from the TIF#2.

The purpose of this article is not to paint the development planned as bad, rather to open the door to the citizens of NRH to the workings of our City Government. It is important to note that all of the new residents of Hometown NRH – through no fault of their own – are contributing not one thin dime to the operating expenses of our city. All of the money they pay in property taxes has been diverted from the General Fund to the TIF – and to the control of the board of the TIF. Street maintenance for Hometown NRH, Police Protection, Fire Protection, Ambulance Staffing and City Administration Services for the residents of Hometown NRH is paid for by the rest of the citizens of NRH outside of Hometown NRH!

I encourage you to ask your elected officials about TIF#2 and the plans for Hometown NRH – not out of “jealousy” as suggested by the Mayor – rather out of a sincere interest in real information. This article has been sent to them so that – if they choose to respond or “correct” we can publish the real facts.