What is the DDA and What is its Purpose?
Purpose of the Downtown Development Authority Act
This Amended and Restated Development Plan and Tax Increment
Financing Plan of the Downtown Development Authority of the City of
Walker has been prepared pursuant to the provisions of the Downtown
Development Authority Act, Act No. 197 of the Michigan Public Acts of
1975, as amended, MCL § 125.1651 et seq ("Act 197"). A copy
of Act 197 and the amendments are set forth in Exhibit 1.
Act 197 was enacted to provide a means for local units of government
to establish a downtown development authority; to prescribe its powers
and duties; to correct and prevent deterioration in business districts;
to encourage historic preservation; to authorize the acquisition and
disposal of interests in real and personal property; to authorize the
creation and implementation of development plans in the districts; to
promote the economic growth of the districts; to create a board; to
prescribe its powers and duties; to authorize the levy and collection of
taxes; to authorize the issuance of bonds and other evidences of
indebtedness; to authorize the use of tax increment financing; to
reimburse downtown development authorities for certain losses of tax
increment revenues; and to prescribe the powers and duties of certain
state officials.
Tax increment financing is a government financing program which
contributes to economic growth and development by dedicating a portion
of the increase in the tax base resulting form economic growth and
development to facilities, structures or improvements within a
development area, thereby facilitating economic growth and development.
Tax increment financing mandates the transfer of tax increment revenues
by municipal and county treasurers to authorities created under Act 197
in order to effectuate the legislative government programs to eliminate
property value deterioration and to promote economic growth.
Act 197 seeks to accomplish its goals by providing local units of
government with the necessary legal, monetary and organizational tools
to eliminate property value deterioration and to promote economic growth
through public initiated projects undertaken cooperatively with
privately initiated projects.
The way in which a downtown development authority makes use of the
tools made available under Act 197 depends on the problems and
priorities of each community. This Amended and Restated
Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan has been developed in
accordance with the purposes of Act 197, based on the problems and
priorities as perceived by the Downtown Development Authority of the
City of Walker (sometimes referred to as the "DDA"), and as submitted
for the approval of the Walker City Commission.
Creation of the City of Walker Downtown Development Authority and
the Downtown District.
On March 18, 1986, the City Commission of the City of Walker held a
public hearing on the establishment of the DDA and the proposed Downtown
District. On April 22, 1986, the City Commission adopted Ordinance
No. 86-332 to establish the DDA and to designate the boundaries of th
Downtown District.
The DDA was given all the powers and duties prescribed for a downtown
development authority under Act 197, except the authority to levy or
request the levy of taxes. The City Commission also designated the
boundaries of the Downtown District within which the DDA may legally
work.
On May 22, 1986, the City Commission approved the appointment of the
members of the DDA Board and on August 12, 1986, the City Commission
appointed the Development Area Citizens Council.
Approval of the Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan
The first meeting of the DDA Board was held on June 17, 1986.
Regular open meetings were established by the DDA Board on July 2, 1986.
On June 25, 1986, the DDA Board elected its first officers. On
June 25, 1986, the DDA Board approved their bylaws and recommended them
to the City Commission for approval. On July 8, 1986, the City
Commission approved the DDA Bylaws.
The DDA Board continued it planning meetings, and on July 30, 1986,
the DDA Board approved the following objective:
It is the objective of the Downtown Development Authority of the
City of Walker to prepare and implement a long range development and
financing plan that will focus on the Standale Business District and
result in the enhancement of the area's aesthetics, the improvement of
community serviced including fire protection, traffic regulation and
parking, as well as the expansion of development and business
opportunities.
On July 9, 1986, the DDA Board selected its development area (the
"Development Area"). The DDA Board discussed a number of the
public projects for the Development Area. On July 2, 1986, those
projects were prioritized.
The Development Area Citizens Council (the "Citizens Council") met on
August 28, 1986 and, on October 22, 1986, to review the Development Plan
and Tax Increment Financing Plan and to provide the DDA and the City
Commission with Comments and recommendations.
On July 23, 2986, the City Manager presented preliminary data on
assessments establishing a tax base using December 31, 1985 taxable
valuations. The City Manager also presented data on captured value
and the "tax increment" projected to be available in the Development
Area.
On October 8, 1986, the DDA Board approved the Development Plan and
Tax Increment Financing Plan (the "Original Plan") and recommended it to
the City Commission, which approved the Original Plan by Ordinance No.
86-344 on November 10, 1986.
Expansion of Downtown District and 1992 Amendments to the Plan
In 1992, the DDA Board prepared an amended and restated Development
Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan for the purpose of updating the
Development Plan with respect to certain improvements in the Development
Area, expanding the boundaries of the Development Area, and extending
the term of the Tax Increment Financing Plan. Representatives of
the DDA met with the Citizens Council on January 16, 1992 and June 23,
1992 to consult with the Citizens Council and advise them of the
proposed amendments to the Original Plan. On June 23, 1992, the
DDA Board adopted a resolution approving and recommending the Amended
and Restated Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan ("the
1992 Plan") to the City Commission. On June 23, 1992, the City
Commission adopted a resolution of intent to expand the boundaries of
the Downtown District.
On July 21, 1992, the DDA and the City Commission held a meeting of
the taxing jurisdictions for the purpose of affording reasonable
opportunity for each taxing jurisdiction to express their views and
recommendations regarding the Tax Increment Financing Plan included in
the 1992 Plan.
The public hearing required by Act 197 was held on July 21, 1992,
following notice as required by Act 197. On August 10, 1992, the
Citizens Council notified the City Commission, in writing of its
findings and recommendations concerting the 1992 Plan. On August
11, 1992, the City Commission adopted ordinances approving (i) the
expansion of the boundaries of the Downtown District and (ii) the 1992
Plan.
2004 Amendments to the Plan
In 2004, the DDA Board determined it was in the DDA's best interest
to amend and restate the 1992 Plan for the purpose of updating the
Development Plan with respect to certain improvements in the Development
Area and extending the term of the Tax Increment Financing Plan.
Representatives of the DDA met with the Citizens Council on March 11,
2004 and June 9, 204 to consult with the Citizens Council and advise
them of the proposed amendments to the 1992 Plan. On June 9, 2004
both the DDA Board of the Citizens Council adopted resolutions approving
and recommending the Amended and Restated Development Plan and Tax
Increment Financing Plan (the "Plan" or the "2004 Plan") to the City
Commission.
On July 26, 204, the DDA and the City Commission held a meeting of
the taxing jurisdictions for the purpose of affording reasonable
opportunity for each taxing jurisdiction to express their views and
recommendations regarding the Tax Increment Financing Plan included in
the 2004 Plan.
The public hearing required by Act 197 was held on July 26, 2004,
following notice as required by Act 197. On July 26, 2004, the
City Commission adopted Ordinance No. 04-517 approving the 2004 Plan.
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