Last week, NorCo Economic Development Chief Tina Smith advised County Council that the soonest it would be able to vote on a special tax break known as a TIF (tax increment financing) for Wilson Boro's vacant Dixie Cup factory would be on. October 17. She indicated that the borough would be voting on a TIF resolution on July 8 (last night), and that Wilson Area School District would do so on August 12. While this overall timeline may be accurate, Smith was mistaken when she said the borough would be voting on a TIF resolution last night.
According to the agenda for last night's meeting, no vote or even discussion was scheduled last night For the Dixie Cup TIF. The only matter related to the Dixie Cup was a resolution authorizing the transfer of a small (0.35 acre) tract to NorCo's General Purpose Authority (GPA), with the understanding that the GPA in turn would transfer title to Dixie's developer, Skyline Investment Group.
Under the Borough Code, it is illegal to convey real estate to a for-profit private enterprise without conducting an auction to ensure that the borough gets the best possible price. But it can convey, and without consideration, to a public authority like the GPA. And then the GPA can turn around and convey it to Skyline. In essence, GPA is a strawman to help Wilson Borough prevent its citizens from getting the best price possible.
It's unclear precisely when the Borough will vote on the TIF resolution.
WOW! This entire game stinks! The GPA, controlled by McClure appointees is working hand in hand with this skyline crew to play insider political favor baseball. Wilson government is incompetent and has been for years. Their participation in this sham is no surprise. However, the county's complicity in defrauding the taxpayers with this move is shameful. Any GPA member that backs this should resign. This entire land deal should be illegal.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, the county adminisntrsation gave false information.
The borough needs to have a hearing in front of the public to get their feedback as to what the residents think since it will eventually fall back on the residents in the form of property taxes. Taxes that the developer won't have to pay for 20 years
ReplyDeleteYou mean like a council meeting that they have two times a month . These meetings have a public comment period which basically exactly what you are asking for.
DeleteSomething's rotten in Denmark!
ReplyDeleteGreat project ! $160,000,000.00 investment in Wilson Borough.
ReplyDelete12:43: I would advise all borough residents to ask the borough to lock in their property taxes for the next 20 years as well.
ReplyDelete150 good paying construction jobs will be created.
ReplyDeleteBully boy McClure is trying to prove P T Barnum correct.
ReplyDeleteMayor Barrett is so right about this. 500 thou in taxes right away for the Borough from this project.
ReplyDeleteRICO Act!
ReplyDeleteNo way any agency should provide tax dollars to a "rookie" so called developer! When he gets denied, race card will come into play!
ReplyDelete8:17 If thats right--freeze all property taxes for the residents
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrible eyesore this is. The Mayor has our full support.
ReplyDeleteWilson MAYOR and County Exec. McClure are again blowing smoke up the taxpayers BUTT
ReplyDeleteWhat is $500,000,00 proving to the tax payers in the Wilson area it's a ONE time deal.
It will still fall back on the taxpayers.
IT'S ABOUT TIME THE TWO OF YOU (BARRETT AND McCLURE) .START BEING HONEST OF WHAT YOU TWO WILL SETTLE FOR.. Don't try to prove something that you can't stand up to. If you two want to look good for the county and Borough, get this project off the ground and your hands out of SKYLINE's pockets
1.1 milli for Affordable Housing to the County. Not too shabby.
ReplyDeleteOh, the same affordable housing funding that McClure vetoed from the budget last year claiming the county didn't need it.
DeleteWilson residents are low intellect non-contributors. They'll take any handout, even if it picks their pockets for decades. Dummies. Reibman shoved it in their hineys, and this scam artist pretender is about to do the same without lube. And hey, I'll outbid anyone for that triangle. Put it out for bid and don't steal from your citizens, fake "mayor" guy. Put it out for bid, you shifty crook.
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