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TIRZ Basics. Tax increment financing is a method for financing public projects. Tax increment reinvestment zones are statutorily able to engage in such financings.Definition: In tax increment financing, when a zone is created the ad valorem tax values are frozen" (the base year) and the taxes ge
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1. The City of Houston Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Program – Online Board Training MaterialsRobert FiederleinTom MesaFinance & AdministrationJuly 1, 2007
2. TIRZ Basics Tax increment financing is a method for financing public projects. Tax increment reinvestment zones are statutorily able to engage in such financings.
Definition: In tax increment financing, when a zone is created the ad valorem tax values are “frozen” (the base year) and the taxes generated from any incremental growth in the tax base in future years (the increment) are used to finance public projects and the administration of the zone.
3. TIRZ Basics (cont.) Two TIRZ Types:
City-initiated
Less than 10% residential
Petition Zone
Created by petition of land owners
Maybe more than 10% residential
Requires that one-third of revenues be set-aside for affordable housing
4. TIRZ Basics (cont.) 22 Zones in the City
Link to map
http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/economic_dev/TIRZ11x17.pdf
5. TIRZ Operations Three Players
The City
The Zone
The Redevelopment Authority
6. TIRZ Operations (cont.) The City’s Role
Manage the overall TIRZ Program
Approve Annual Budget and Amendments
Approve multi-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and coordinate with the City
Deposit tax increment revenue into fund
Appropriate revenues
7. TIRZ Operations (cont.) The City’s Role – In Detail
The City Council and/or the Program Administrators approve:
Development Agreements
Consultant Contracts
Authority Obligations
Bonds
Notes
8. TIRZ Operations (cont.) The Zone’s Role
If a Redevelopment Authority has been created the Zone’s role is limited:
Approve Annual Budget
Approve Plan Amendments
Other administrative actions
9. TIRZ Operations (cont.) The Redevelopment Authority’s Role
Defined by the Tri-Party Agreement
Delegation by the City and the Zone of day-to-day operations to the Redevelopment Authority
Generally responsible for the implementation of the Project and Financing Plan
10. TIRZ Operations (cont.) The Redevelopment Authority’s Role
Day-to-Day Administration:
Budget preparation
Project management
Hiring of consultants
Financial affairs
11. TIRZ Operations (cont.) The Redevelopment Authority’s Role
With regards to the financial affairs of the Zone/Authority, the members of the Redevelopment Authority board have a fiduciary duty to properly manage and account for the publics’ moneys at all times.
12. TIRZ Operations (cont.) It is highly recommended that upon appointment new board members request of their Zone’s administrator the following materials and that they become familiar with them:
Zone Project and Financing Plan
The most current City-approved budget
The most current annual financial audit
13. Legal Issues Sources of Authority
There are several sources of authority that define and/or constrain the actions of Redevelopment Authorities:
Ch. 311 Tax Code (“TIRZ Act”)
Ch. 431 Transportation Code
Ch. 394 Local Gov’t Code
Articles and By-Laws
Contracts
14. Legal Issues (cont.) TIRZ Zone and Redevelopment Authority Boards are subject to both the Texas Open Meetings Act and the Texas Public Information Act
New board members must receive training within 90-days of their appointment in each
Training available thru Texas Attorney General’s website:
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/opinopen/og_training.shtml
15. Legal Issues (cont.) In addition to open government training, board members are required to abide by state and local laws and rules governing:
Conflicts of interest
Receipt of gifts
Nepotism
With regards to these matters, board members should always consult with their board's legal counsel
16. TIRZ #19 Upper Kirby Created in 1999 – 15 years
Major Project and Financing Plan amendment approved by City Council in early 2007
Multi-year CIP in place
Significant mobility and drainage projects: Kirby Drive
Pay-as-you-go CIP