Sec. 16-65. - Application procedure.

(a)

The application procedure for projects with greater than $150,000.00 in taxable improvements but less than $5,000,000.00 in taxable improvements shall proceed as follows:

(1)

Eligible property owners planning to utilize this program shall, prior to obtaining a building permit, apply for the program through the city planning department. A complete application will contain the following material exhibits:

a.

Application form;

b.

Five sets of improvements plans;

c.

An itemized description of the improvements associated with the project;

d.

An application fee in the amount of $200.00;

e.

A municipal lien certificate issued by the city collector's office for the project property.

(2)

The city tax assessor, building official, zoning officer, fire marshal and city clerk shall be immediately forwarded a copy of the application for comment and review. The city tax assessor shall review and establish the taxable value of the proposed improvements as described by the applicant within the application for stabilization. The planning department may also forward copies of the application to other departments for additional review and comment.

(3)

The planning department must determine that the granting of the exemption or stabilization will inure to benefit of the city by reason of:

a.

The willingness of the eligible property owners to locate in the city; or

b.

The willingness of an eligible property to expand facilities with an increase in employment or to retain its facility in the city and not reduce substantially its work force in the city.

(4)

The planning department must determine that the granting of the exemption or stabilization of taxes will inure to the benefit of the city by reason of the willingness of an eligible property to replace, reconstruct, expand, retain or remodel existing buildings, facilities, machinery, or equipment with modern buildings, facilities, fixtures, machinery, or equipment resulting in an increase or maintenance in plant or commercial building investment by the property in the city.

(5)

The planning department shall review the application and any other comments received from other departments and divisions and deem the application complete within 30 days of receiving the application.

(6)

The director of planning and the city assessor shall approve, deny or defer a decision pending additional information within 15 days of the issuance of a certificate of completeness.

(7)

Upon approval of the application, the city tax assessor or his designee, shall conduct an inspection of the subject property in order to determine the assessed valuation of the property prior to improvements and/or renovations.

(8)

Subsequent to the city tax assessor's inspection and approval of the subject property, the applicant may obtain a building permit for improved property from the city building official. A building permit must be obtained within six months of the application's approval. Failure to obtain a building permit for improved property within the allotted time shall deem the approval null and void.

(9)

a.

Upon completion of the improvements, the tax assessor or person designated by him shall inspect the subject property, and confirm the taxable assessed value added to the property. The city tax assessor will thereupon notify the applicant and the city planning department of the added value and the schedule of phased in taxable value on the new construction, improvement or increase in tangible business property.

(b)

The planning department and city assessor shall submit an annual report to the mayor and the city council identifying all properties participating in the property tax stabilization program. Additionally, this section shall be reviewed annually by the department of planning and the city tax assessor in order to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the program and to recommend to the city council any additional language or amendments which may improve the effectiveness of the program.

(c)

All participating employers are required to comply with all federal and state regulations concerning job safety and affirmative action requirements.

(d)

The city reserves the right to terminate this program at any time through the action of the city council.

(10)

An appeal of the decision of the planning director and city tax assessor must be filed with the board of assessment review within 20 days of the decision. The decision of the board of assessment review is final.

(Ch. 595, § I, 12-17-13; Ch. 877, § I, 6-6-23)