Moving toward TIF

DUNKIRK — The city will take the next steps toward creating a tax increment financing (TIF) district and redevelopment commission next month.

During Monday’s Dunkirk City Council meeting, Mayor Jack Robbins reported on progress and provided an update on next steps.

Robbins told council members Jesse Bivens, Dan Watson, Christy Curts and Randy Murphy, absent Donna Revolt, that the closing for the purchase of about 10 acres of land was held last week. The city bought the property, located behind Pak-a-Sak (915 S. Main St.) and Dollar General (1001 S. Main St.), with the intent of pursuing housing and apartment development.

As part of that process, the city council agreed to move forward with creating a residential TIF district for the property. Such districts capture additional property tax revenue created by improvements — the increment — and set them aside to be used to help fund initiatives related to the district. A redevelopment commission oversees those funds.

Robbins said there will be a presentation and documents regarding creation of the TIF district and redevelopment commission at the council’s April 14 meeting. (Three redevelopment commission members will be appointed by the mayor and two will be appointed by the council.)

The council also heard an update from Dru Hall of the Glass Days Committee regarding the festival that is planned for Aug. 16.

Hall reported that the festival will shift to the area of Commerce Street west side of Main Street this year. (The re-born festival was initially held on the east side of the downtown area before expanding to both sides last year.) He said the intent is to keep everything together rather than being split by Main Street (Indiana 167.)

Council granted the Glass Days Committee permission to install a new utility pole on city-owned property on the west side of the downtown area in order to provide electrical service for the festival.

In other business, council:

•Heard comments from Robbins regarding Indiana Senate Bill 1, which addresses property taxes. He said he’s unclear on how the bill, which is currently being considered by a House committee, will impact the city financially. He suggested that if the legislation passes — the 2025 session concludes April 29 — the county’s various taxing units should consider holding a joint session to receive more information.

•Received an update from Watson regarding the wastewater treatment plant. He noted that work is still in progress on an insurance settlement for damage caused by a lightning strike. He also said city staff, Indiana Department of Environmental Management and officials from Ardagh met recently and are working to address issues with chloride and oil discharge.

•Learned from Hall that Dunkirk Kiwanis, West Jay Optimist Club and Dunkirk Church of the Nazarene will partner for monthly “mobile market” food give-aways beginning from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at West Jay Community Center. Small community food distributions will also be set for 3 p.m. May 12, Aug. 11 and Nov. 10 at the community center.

•Heard from Bivens that the first new hydrants the city purchased via American Rescue Plan Act funds will be installed soon.

•Learned from Robbins that there will likely be no need to change the city’s council districts to account for population changes. He asked council to review the data so that it can be addressed at the April 14 meeting.

•Approved the following: a renewal of the city’s contract with volunteer firefighters; a $300 sponsorship for Dunkirk Public Library’s reading program; payment of claims totaling $150,207.16.

•Received a thank you letter from the Doyle family for its support of the Joe Doyle Memorial Golf Tournament.