New Braunfels City Council members on Monday are expected to consider the adoption of a tax increment financing policy.
Tax increment financing, also known as TIF, is a tool available to municipalities under the state s tax code that utilizes the increase in property and sales taxes within a defined geographic area as a source of revenue for public improvements as described in a project and finance plan.
The proposed policy outlines the goals of TIF deployment, as well as establishes expectations and requirements for the level of due diligence that would be undertaken.
According to city officials, the purpose of such due diligence is to provide some reasonable assurance that any project applying for TIF assistance would not occur but for the incentive and that the improvements proposed will be constructed within a reasonable timeframe.
New Braunfels city leaders are looking into realigning the terms of the cityâs boards and commissions so appointments would occur only twice yearly â in the fall or spring.
The city now maintains 31 boards and commissions. Each board and commission have term dates, term lengths and requirements for eligibility unique to the creating ordinance, state law or by-laws of the body.
City Secretary Caitlin Krobot told New Braunfels City Council members on Monday that her office brings board and commission appointments for city council consideration every month of the year except June and July.
âThis process oftentimes can be confusing to the community about when weâre appointing folks, when do the terms start,â Krobot said.
New Braunfels Planning Commission members recently recommended two proposed rezoning requests, both from agricultural/pre-development to a zero lot line district, a designation intended for single-family home development.
In a 5-4 vote during its July 6 meeting, members recommended a proposed rezoning of a 105-acre property on Farm-to-Market Road 758, from âAPD AHâ Agricultural/Pre-Development, Airport Hazard Overlay District to âZH-A AHâ Zero Lot Line, Airport Hazard Overlay District.
The current agricultural zoning district of the property, located about 1,500 feet east of State Highway 46 South and one-half mile from New Braunfels Regional Airport, is intended for newly annexed areas, agricultural uses and areas where development is premature due to a lack of utility capacity or where the ultimate use has not been determined.
New Braunfels City Council members on Monday gave initial approval to an item restricting parking around the landscaped islands that lie on the outside edges of the cityâs Main Plaza.
Public Works Director Greg Malatek told council members that the cityâs Parks and Recreation Department requested the restriction around the landscaped islands, as vehicles have been obstructing the flow of traffic and preventing Parks Department employees from accessing the landscaping and downtown public restrooms to perform cleaning and maintenance.
âItâs impairing mobility,â Malatek said. âProbably the biggest thing is, for folks that have parked in the designated parking, if somebody was to back up, they could hit one of these vehicles.â
City officials are seeking input for a street maintenance plan through online feedback and an upcoming public forum.
Each year the city budget allocates funds for street maintenance projects to be completed throughout the next fiscal year.Â
As budget discussions begin for the 2021-2022 budget cycle, the cityâs Public Works Department is asking for the publicâs say on which of the cityâs 893 lane miles of city roads need to be addressed in the coming year.
As part of the public input process, an in-person public forum is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Tejas Room at New Braunfels City Hall, 550 Landa St.Â