City officials learn rules for using TIF funds
“City of Great Falls Commissioners and city staff have started looking into options for a public safety levy specific to Great Falls/Fire Rescue and Commissioner Bob Kelly asked if TIF (tax increment finance) funds could be used to build a new fire station in or near an existing TIF district.
Janet Cornish with Community Development Services of Montana said that was a possibility, but the city would have to demonstrate how the fire station would serve the district or if there was increased call volume in the area to justify the expenditure.
Most residential development has occurred on the northern edge of the city but within the Central Montana Agri-Tech Park TIF district, which includes Malt Europ and ADF. There are few fire and EMS calls in that area, according to GFFR statistics.
In 2013, there were 1,145 total calls in fire district 2, which includes the areas north and west of the river. The downtown fire station responded to 3,202 calls in 2013.
That TIF district fund has $187,604 currently available, according to the city.
Greg Doyon, city manager, cautioned commissioners about using TIF funds to build a fire station or other facilities without having a plan.”
Rowell, Jenn. Great Falls Tribune 26 January 2015.