Let’s face it, with the Sioux Falls School District telling us that it is inevitable they will need to build new schools (though I would rather they spend the money on giving parents FREE birth control) that means our property taxes in Sioux Falls will be going up, ALOT!
I think it is time to either put a moratorium or to eliminate TIFs all together. Developers in this town need to start paying their fair share. With over $700 million in building permits last year, it is obvious that developers and investors don’t need a handout or rebate on taxes to develop, if anything all this massive growth is hurting us, with little payback to the city, county and school district coffers.
It is time WE ALL paid into supporting public education, and that means killing large, unnecessary TIFs once and for all.
But the one thing that the School Board, City, and County are not talking about is the windfall they will receive next year from home property values dramatically increasing in this town over the past year.
I live in an “average Republican cloth coat” type of home, yet my property value in ten months time when up 21.2% in 2017. So without even messing with the mill levy, or promoting a new opt-out, our local governing authorities will be experiencing a major influx of increased property tax revenue that goes well beyond inflationary adjustments, will they not? Why isn’t anyone talking about this? Why aren’t the mayoral candidates talking about this? Or will this reality be brushed under the rug and the gain will somehow be tied into a likely rebound of sales tax receipts, especially at the city level, in order to create a political narrative that ignores or hides this reality and spends the money on whatever?…. And if I am wrong about this, then I am all ears to constructive criticism…. Lets hear it……
My guess is that specific bond issues are too confusing for the average person to understand.
Even for some candidates, keeping these specific financial things in mind can be hard.
The free birth control you advocate for is not free. Just someone else paying for it. Get real.
Birth control for a year is probably cheaper then feeding a poor kid for a month in school.
If the Federal government funded FREE birth control for any American that wanted it, men and women, we would reduce the costs associated with SNAP, Welfare, Food Stamps, Wick, Medicade, Public Education. We would also reduce poverty and crime. The cost of FREE birth control would be nothing compared to the BILLIONS we would save as Americans in social programs.
TIF’s weren’t meant to be buddy system payoffs. They should go never to return. The people shouldn’t have to build private indoor tennis anymore. If Strong Mayor has trouble finding things to spend budget on, how about crime or the homeless?
My guess is that specific bond issues are too confusing for the average person to understand.
Very Arrogant, Mr. Pischke.
You underestimate voters at your own peril, many of us are very well-informed!
I’m not being arrogant, I’m just trying to be honest. Bond policy is loaded with financially heavy language.
It isn’t easy to understand in a headline, and you can’t put it on a sign.
If our own city council and mayor need expert advice and assistance to understand the terminology, what chance does the average citizen have?
Tell me how exciting and interesting it is to explain what a TIFF is to a busy Dad or mom after they finished their long day at work.
Even if it is arrogant, that doesn’t make me wrong.
Do you remember how few people take time to vote in this city on the off years.
This year will be much better because we have the mayoral election.
But generally aren’t we all disappointed when only 10% of this town comes out to vote.