HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-17-26 Public Comment - M. Campanelli - Attn_ TIF Advisory Board. CC_ City CommissionFrom:Mark Campanelli
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:Alison Sweeney
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Attn: TIF Advisory Board. CC: City Commission
Date:Tuesday, February 17, 2026 7:24:15 PM
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Greetings,
I write concerning the agenda item for the TIF Advisory Board meeting for this Thursday, 19 Feb 2026, entitled "AdviseEconomic Development Staff on the Light Conversion - USA Improvements TIF Assistance Request".
The TIF request claims the following budget of "eligible expenses" (pg. 24 of https://legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/3917378/NEURD_TIF_App_Light_Conversion_USA_FINAL.pdf)):
Demolition of Existing Structures $ 200,000.00Sidewalk, curb, gutter, and alley $ 143,000.00CILWR $ 4,285.00Water and Sewer Services $ 25,000.00Parking Lot $ 100,000.00Impact Fees $ 70,916.97
Giving a "Total TIF Requested $543,201.97".
I note that I worked for a small, local photonics company here in Bozeman. As far as I know, they did not receiveanything like this sort of "start up" money from the City. They grew slowly and finally reached a level of sales where theycould both justify and afford their own new building. A skeptical person might conclude here that the City is decidedlyNOT creating a level playing field for our small businesses with our diverted tax dollars.
Setting aside the above moral hazard, when it comes to subsidizing a private business entity using TIF funds, Irecommend AT THE VERY LEAST the following criterion:
Assume the business entity is going to close up shop tomorrow. (This could be for any number of reasons: bad economy,purchased by a bigger fish, failure to thrive, whatever. The details of why don't really matter. It happens.) In the case ofthat eventuality, which of the above "eligible costs" would continue to serve the community? What core infrastructure isprovided that satisfies true durable public benefit as opposed to merely a private benefit with socialized risk?
From the list above, I came up with, MAYBE, "Water and Sewer Services". (I'm NOT talking here about things that arenice to have, like a refreshed sidewalk or a thneed.) By the way, my neighbors and I all had to take out a specialimprovement district (SID) loan when the City redid our street and sidewalks, and I'm still paying it off. In the meantime,my house has produced a tax increment for the whole City, including its schoolchildren.
Seriously, are you going to approve >$300,000 in public funding to demo a former home and garage and build a parkinglot, all while waiving impact fees that other small businesses have had to swallow?!? Please don't make this yet anothercrazy diversion of our limited tax base. Please advise no to this TIF request.
P.S. Please also review and discuss the recent shortfall in the South Bozeman Technology TIF district. I think there may belessons to be learned. See https://d2kbkoa27fdvtw.cloudfront.net/bozeman/641c796b7c371524be5966c96a9ee6af0.pdf.
Sincerely,
Mark CampanelliBogert Park NeighborLinkedIn