1991 TIF (Branson Tax Maps 7 of 7)

1991 TIF

Hollister Enters Tourism Industry Arena - Waterpark to open 2009

Hollister City Administrator Rick Ziggnefuss said details on a $26 million TIF funded arena scheduled slated to open in 2009 was to be designed with the Hollister School District in mind.

According to Ziggenfuss the current plan to build an arena is being financed through the maximum allowed by law - 100% of property tax and 50% of sales tax. A component to the development announced by developer Justin Gage is the creation of one of the world's largest waterparks which will be built across from the publicly funded Arena.

The Waterpark on the 112 acres of land east of hwy 65 will not be part of the TIF district.

More to come....

Branson Economy - TIF Districs Compared - First 3 months

The image above is from a spreadsheet we posted on the Branson Edge homepage. Since their are several TIF (Tax Increment Financed) districts in Missouri being propose this document should have large spread interest.


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Another thing this chart should tell you is that anyone supporting Proposition A either:

1. Hates Branson

2. Is taking bribes

3. Is getting millions of dollars from the tax proposal being passed.

Which limits it to a few very wealthy Eastern Taney County residents and the White River Valley Historical Society.

The most important Economic Report in the State of Missouri

The rolling 12 month average gives us some interesting data about TIF's. Tax Increment Financed districts are an issue throughout the state.

I haven't had a chance to study this document much and the post below is difficult to read.

The spreadsheet is viewable at the Branson Edge.

Branson Rolling 12 Month Financials - City Wide + TIF Districts

The chart above shows Branson's 12 month rolling financials. TIF districts are categorized separately.

We don't know too much about it. How about you study it with me?

Taney County Tax On The Poor - TIF in disquise (Editorial)

No elected official would ever come to power under the mantra:

I will tax the poor and oppress the people with unnecessary levies.

The statement above is a public service announcement for local politicians who will be paid a visit from a local tax lobbyist financed through special interest money this week. (Some of you have already received the call)

Though some believe the tax "is ok" because it only harms the tourist industry, Statistically, they're right. The majority of county income is siphoned through area visitors. (See Stats)

The second group is the poor. The single mom trying to buy diapers - anyone who buys food at the grocery store - they'll have to pay a tax which will be funneled (at the highest rate possible) to special interests which the money was never intended to be funneled.

Tomorrow, will be week five of a campaign to burden the citizens of Taney County. Essentially, the funds which should come from a growing general county fund, will be used (the portion that isn't being siphoned)to support a Taney County TIFF.

What do you mean? They're only trying to levy a new sales tax?

Let's think for a moment about what a TIF is for. I'm not talking about TIF abuse - which we're all familiar with. The purpose of a TIFF is to generate revenue through infrastructure development. The sales tax being proposed doesn't even do that. It's to buy brainpower which will encourage business development.

When Ron Houseman was running for Taney County Commissioner - a very popular candidate - he said this to a Springfield News-Leader reporter:

"I'm of the old school, and I feel that less government is better government," he said, "but there are definite tools counties and cities must have. ... Taney County has no strategic plan for the future. There's no ... plan for the prediction of revenues or expenditures, no direction for priorities of services or even thoughts as to where the commission will be spending discretionary funds. Our county ... should immediately be looking to available revenues and resources that can be utilized without raising taxes within this county."

We like smaller government too and we like the idea of not raising taxes on the backs of the poor.

New taxes will come and if you do nothing, say nothing - there are powers that will push this levy down your throat.

Two districts in the area want to raise taxes to improve their school districts...by the way...is anyone going to report on the Hollister School District meeting tonight?

Matt Blunt addresses TIF Issue - (Branson Missouri and Kansas City Connection)

(Branson Missouri Rec Plex Photo Click image for full view)
Gov. Matt Blunt signed an initiative to protect Missourians from TIF's today. Tax Increment Financing = developer subsidies. Taxes are deferred to pay for the cost of infrastructure development.
Branson City Administrator Terry Dody has brought up the Kansas City situation as an example of how TIF's helped Wyandotte County Kansas and Jackson County Missouri got screwed (again).
Apparently, Wyandotte offered a TIF and Jackson County didn't. In the end, the severely depressed Kansas side of the border scored a few million in infrastructure. Soon, perhaps weeks, a casino will open on the Kansas City side of the border.
At the Lake of the Ozarks, Hammons promised to pull out of a development deal if the city refused to support a TIF.
In Branson, Rick Huffman and HCW have snagged a couple really good TIF's. They pulled a one up. Today, during a planning session, Huffman offered some property adjoining the Rec-Plex at over 100 times what it cost just years ago. The Rec-Plex is a state-of-the-art recreational facility in Branson. The city invested millions and a few hundred thousand more for roads. They had to build a road to get to the facility right? The infrastructure cost was paid through tax dollars. Next, Huffman got blighted status on this prime piece of property. Citizens benefited by getting a Wal-Mart ... yeah, lots of people upset over this one. As you can see from the photo above, which was used in a presentation today at Branson City Hall, the area was pristine. Justification for the TIF was furry animals could drink out of the natural ponds (housing vermin). Oh yeah, their were no lights in the forest...(yeah, I know). After the infrastructure was funded and the mini-Disneyland was placed on the property, a plan to build a "Senior Living Facility" was unsuccessfully put in motion. The idea didn't pan out as well as the developer might have liked. The Rec-Plex wants to expand and Huffman wants to sell the acres adjoining the Rec-Plex (see the discolored plot next to the Rec-Plex above) for a whopping 11.2 million dollars.
TIF's were initially a way to boost Missouri cities plagued by displaced industry but the legislation created a loophole that has become a carrot for developers. A lot of the time, knowing they can get it elsewhere, they won't invest in a project without one. Under the guidelines, any forest or park could be considered "blighted."
Imagine how the National Rifle Association would feel if all hunting land was marked in this manner - thus the legislation.

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Background: Kansas City, Missouri getting screwed by Kansans is a fact of nature. TIF or no TIF - KCMO would get the raw end of the deal. It happens every time.

Silver Dollar City Expansion Involves- 5 million dollar TIF

Silver Dollar City formally submitted a proposal to ease traffic congestion to Indian Point and Silver Dollar City. This will be Stone County's first TIF (Tax Increment Financing) project and I'm currently working on copy to inform citizens of Stone County about TIF's and what the implications of the project are. I'll be posting more on this issue shortly; but, if a picture is worth a 1000 words than click on the image above to view the engineering diagram of the project.
According to the Stone County Commission, Silver Dollar City sales tax revenues account for 20% of the overall Stone County collected sales taxes. The plan will provide unfettered access from HWY 76 to the park and enable Indian Point residents to bypass Silver Dollar City traffic on Indian Point Drive. Hershchend Family Entertainment Corporation is hoping to increase access to Silver Dollar City and believes approval and completion of the project may help the Missouri Department of Transportation continue to develop arteries through Branson via HWy 76 and southbound on HWY 13. Traffic congestion is a major problem according to Silver Dollar City manager Brad Thomas and easing access is good for Branson, Stone County and tourism to the region in general. More to come...

Branson West side - Stone County Considers TIF

This Story will be published tomorrow in the Stone County Gazette. The implications of the TIF will affect the economy for 23 years. Tax Increment Financing routes tax dollars to private interests. They've been the source of controversy as the intended use - job creation for displaced workers - have been used to finance private development and projects far from what they were originally designed for. Speculation over the true fiscal impact of these types of public - private relationships have been the source of community divide. For instance, Taney County Government officials have threatened to sue Branson over TIF allocation. It's also been suggested that a desired increase in taxes being proposed by the Branson School District is a direct result by taxes being allocated to increase corporate welfare. One of the many recent beneficiaries is Wal-Mart. In Lake of the Ozarks one developer has threatened to move a project to another city if the community being pitched doesn't fund a hotel through TIF's. Back to Branson - If voters pass a tax proposal allocating money to a particular project can the city override the people's vote by siphoning money to an unrelated private interest? On the other hand these projects can generate new sources of revenue and spur development, a strong argument for cities to pay to play. TIF reform is an issue that may arise during our current legislative session....Stone County is holding a public meeting in which a proposed TIF will be discussed.

By Sam Clanton

The Stone County Commission is meeting Tuesday morning, Feb. 20 at
9 a.m. on the third floor of the Stone County Courthouse. On the agenda
is a vote to approve Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for a period of 23
years, which would fund road improvements at Indian Point Road and
its intersection with Hwy 76.
By approving the TIF, the county would relinquish one half of future
revenues exceeding 2006 revenues for a period of 23 years within the
TIF district, which includes Silver Dollar City.
The funding mechanism is set up so that 2006 tax revenues are
capped. The TIF would capture half of the increases in revenues over
and above revenues in 2006.
“With any future revenue increases, half will go to the county and half will
go to the TIF to pay off bonds,” Southern District Commissioner Jerry
Dodd stated.
Silver Dollar City would purchase the bonds on the estimated $5 million
project.
Financial information released in the 2007 Stone County budget reveal
a seven percent increase in sales tax and property tax revenues
countywide in 2006.
The 2007 budget was drawn up projecting similar increases, with
expenses totaling $7,289,175.00.
Total sales tax revenues for 2006 were $4,408,309.37, an increase of
$338,649.29 over 2005 actual sales tax revenues.
Property tax revenues increased $45,785.90 in 2006 for a total of
$540,289.51.
Commissioners estimated 2007 sales tax revenues to increase to
$4,526,381.00 and property tax revenues to increase to $667,300.00.
The hearing Feb. 20 is open to the public.