In theory, establishing a TIF district involves serious and impartial deliberation and calculus. A city intends to revitalize a part of its community, but first it must go through a complicated process designed to test whether certain tax incentives are allowed. The city contracts with urban planners who independently determine if the proposal could happen “but for” the taxpayer assistance, and also if the area meets the standards for a designation of “blight,” or “conservation” (or another appropriate designation), making it eligible for subsidies. A developer is then brought into the process and, with the assistance of the government and the taxpayers, produces an economic growth engine that provides jobs, a revitalized community, and (eventually) an expanded tax base.
Testimony Before the St. Louis County TIF Commission on the Proposed Ellisville TIF
About the Author
David Stokes
David Stokes is a St. Louis native and a graduate of Saint Louis University High School and Fairfield (Conn.) University. He spent six years as a political aide at the St. Louis County Council before joining the Show-Me Institute in 2007. Stokes was a policy analyst at the Show-Me Institute from 2007 to 2016. From 2016 through 2020 he was Executive Director of Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, where he led efforts to oppose harmful floodplain developments done with abusive tax subsidies. Stokes rejoined the Institute in early 2021 as the Director of Municipal Policy. He is a past president of the University City Library Board. He served on the St. Louis County 2010 Council Redistricting Commission and was the 2012 representative to the Electoral College from Missouri’s First Congressional District. He lives in University City with his wife and their three children.
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