Ford Releases Statement on Tax Increase

“Richland School District One has been working for a number of years in the discussion of tax increment financing districts (TIFs) for the Farrow Road area (Renaissance) and the Innovista area. With great support with Richland County Council and Columbia City Council, it has been and is the way that governmental bodies should work together – collaboratively and with all interested entities represented with equal footing. Investing in our community by helping to foster the growth of small businesses is critical to a viable community. In addition, by creating affordable housing, it will provide much needed places for families to live, work and be educated. After months and months of deliberations and now on the eve of the Richland One Board of School Commissioners taking this very important vote, we hear that the mayor has another way of funding these projects without using TIF funding. As a member of the Richland One school board, I feel that it is incumbent upon the mayor and others to share that information prior to a vote being taken to help us all make a more informed decision.” If the mayor, who has statutory authority for economic development, is not in favor of this, how can the City ask the other governmental bodies to vote in favor of deferring dollars away from our constituencies?”