TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT – Just Another Level of Bureaucracy – June 7, 2024
There is an undercurrent in city government today – or should I say “undermining”?
There is a board which exists to recommend to the city council on matters pertaining to “economic development”. Namely, promote growth to the taxbase. As of late, this group is pushing hard to develop a private not-for-profit development on land in the Mill Creek Business Park which was established 20+ years ago – to grow the tax base. Not-for-profits DO NOT PAY TAXES!!! How is the city to repay their initial investment if they can’t collect taxes from the businesses in the park?
With the recent push by members of the ED Board, one has to ask…how do you grow the tax base by establishing a not-for-profit in the Park designed specifically for office buildings and light industrial? It’s not compatible!
Something is underhanded! Can I maybe suggest – corrupt? Can I suggest someone went ahead and acted too hastily and bought some property and/or a building not knowing the covenants for the Park were established to protect the “neighborhood” from non-compatible businesses? So, what is it about the proposed development they are discussing now that should even consider an exception? If you are investing money in a business or development, are you not responsible for doing your homework – your due diligence, before forking over a large sum of money? Hey, you snooze, you lose! The taxpayers who invested money in the past to develop the Park are not responsible for your goof-up!
Notice I haven’t mentioned the type of business, other than it is a not-for-profit? So far, from the little bit the public has been told of the proposed project, the concept is great! But it does not belong in this location! And this surely is not the only location where this project could go. Maybe the corner of S Maple Ave and E 25th St? Maybe some of the unused property that Marshfield Medical Center owns (already not-for-profit and not paying taxes)?
It all goes back to: Why the push by the ED Board members for this particular site? Does someone have money in the game and want to save themselves or their good friends? Too bad a person has to even think that way, isn’t it? But it happens all too often. Let’s hope it’s not the case here!!
I feel very strongly that the city council should pull this group in and perform the tasks entrusted to this group themselves (you don’t even have to be a city resident to be appointed to the ED Board – why would you be bothered if the city spends their money unwisely – or don’t get a return on their investment?).