Iowa state law requires tax increment financing to sunset after 20 years. Cedar Rapids is in the process of evaluating some of its TIF districts after they expired this summer.
B.A. Morelli has produced a couple of tax increment financing-related articles as the city of Cedar Rapids grapples with the consequences of its retiring TIF program.
Since the first wave of special taxing districts in the city expired in June, the Linn County Auditor's Office has discovered $2.7 million in overpayments to the city of Cedar Rapids, reports Morelli. "The accounts date back several years in six urban renewal areas in which TIF — tax increment financing — districts are established, some of which expired June 30." Despite those issues, the city and the county have indicated that they expect to clear up the discrepancy by the end of the year.
The city's TIF districts are expiring because of a state law that limits the duration of TIFs to 20 years. As reported in a separate article, also by Morelli, the state of Iowa leads the nation in the use of TIF.
According to the "Improving Tax Increment Financing for Economic Development" report by University of Illinois Chicago professor David Merriman for the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, Iowa has 3,340 TIF districts. That's more than twice the number of the next most prolific TIF state, Minnesota.
FULL STORY: What comes After TIF? As tax districts begin expiring, questions arise
Omaha Streetcar Yielding $1.5 Billion in TIF Funds
The line, scheduled for completion in 2027, is bringing billions in new investment to the city’s urban core.
Indianapolis’s Proposed MLS Stadium Gets New Site, Funding Mechanism
The Indianapolis city-county council approved Mayor Hogsett’s alternate plan for a hoped-for professional soccer stadium.
Milwaukee Considers Zoning Reform
The city is looking for ways to boost housing production, anticipating a growing population.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Understanding Road Diets
An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.
New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution
A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.
Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension
The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service