Trying to find the truth about TIF
“But the full impact of Coralville’s use of TIF and the effect tax increment finance districts have on surrounding school districts, residents and the county isn’t exactly cut and dry.
The main question among city officials and residents is, would the development within a TIF district have occurred through the private sector without tax increment financing used?
“I think that’s the big political debate and that’s where people will really argue because some people will say, ‘Well this would have happened whether you would have done the tax increment financing district or not,’ and others will say, ‘No, the investment in TIF dollars is what enabled this growth to occur,’ ” said Kelly Hayworth, Coralville city administrator.”
Schmidt, Mitchell. Iowa City Press Citizen 18 October 2013.
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