Sec. 16-68. - Application procedure for extended stabilization.

(a)

The application procedure shall proceed as follows:

(1)

Businesses or property owners planning to utilize this program shall, prior to obtaining a building permit, apply for the program through the city planning department. Tangible business property and leasehold improvements are not eligible for extended stabilization. A complete application will contain the following material exhibits:

a.

Application form;

b.

Ten 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. If the proposed expansion or improvements exceed the $5,000,000.00 threshold as established under this section, the application shall be deemed eligible for city council stabilization review.

The planning department may also forward copies of the application to other departments for additional review and comment.

(3)

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.

(4)

Once the application is deemed complete, 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. The results of this inspection shall be provided to the planning department for inclusion in the planning department's recommendation to the economic development commission.

(5)

Subsequent to the city tax assessor's inspection of the subject property, the department of planning shall review and prepare a written recommendation to the economic development commission which outlines the fiscal impacts the proposed stabilization will have on the tax base of the city and provide a recommendation for stabilization on the property. The economic development commission shall consider the department of planning's recommendation and prepare a written recommendation to the city council within 30 days of the economic development commission meeting. Upon receiving the economic development commission's recommendation, the city clerk shall place the stabilization request on the docket of the next available city council meeting.

(6)

In reviewing the application the city council 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 manufacturing or commercial concern to locate in the city; or

b.

The willingness of a manufacturing firm to expand facilities with an increase in employment or the willingness of a commercial or manufacturing concern to retain its facility in the city and not reduce substantially its work force in the city.

(7)

In reviewing the application the city council 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 a manufacturing or commercial firm 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 eligible property in the city.

(8)

The city council shall vote to approve, deny or defer the application for stabilization.

(9)

Upon approval by the city council, the applicant may obtain a building permit from the city building official. All other necessary permits required for development of the site, must be obtained, however, prior to the issuance of a building permit. Regulatory review of a proposed development may proceed prior to the approval of the stabilization by the city council. A building permit must be obtained within one year of the application's approval by the city council. Failure to obtain a building permit within the allotted time shall deem the approval null and void. The applicant may request an extension of the approval not be [to] exceed six months which shall be subject to approval by the city council.

(10)

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 or improvement.

(b)

The planning department and city assessor shall submit an annual report to the mayor and the city council identifying all eligible properties participating in the property tax stabilization. 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.

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