HomeMy WebLinkAboutProvisional Adoption of Ordinance 1844, creating the South Bozeman Technology District1
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Brit Fontenot, Director of Economic Development
SUBJECT: Provisional Adoption of Ordinance 1844 Creating the South Bozeman
Technology District and authorizing the Use of Tax Increment Financing
MEETING DATE: November 5, 2012
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Action Item
RECOMMENDATION: Conduct a public hearing and provisionally adopt Ordinance 1844. Second reading of Ordinance 1844 will occur on November 19, 2012. If adopted, Ordinance
1844 will be effective thirty days later on December 19, 2012.
SUGGESTED MOTION: I move to provisionally adopt Ordinance 1844 creating the South
Bozeman Technology District and authorizing the use of tax increment financing.
BACKGROUND:
Why a technology district?
The desire to create the South Bozeman Technology District (the “District”) is an effort at
addressing existing infrastructure deficiencies on property adjacent to Montana State University
(“MSU”) and the Innovation Campus to achieve the goals set out in the City of Bozeman’s 2009 Economic Development Plan (“EDP”) and the South Bozeman Technology District
Comprehensive Development Plan (“CDP”). Goals of the EDP are synchronized with those of
the District’s CDP and the Innovation Campus in the context of the establishment of a
technology district to enhance the local and regional economies through job creation and
industry diversification. Creation and stewardship of a technology district is consistent with these priorities.
Technology districts were authorized in the 2005 Montana legislature. Section 7-15-4295,
MCA, states that the purpose of a technology district is the development of infrastructure to
encourage the location and retention of technology infrastructure development projects in the state, and to address infrastructure deficiencies which are an impediment to development (emphasis added).
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Currently, the area of the proposed technology district lacks the infrastructure necessary to
facilitate the development identified in the CDP; see p17 – 21. Ordinance 1844 includes a
finding to this effect; see Section 1, 9 of Ordinance 1844.
Since the adoption of the EDP in 2009, the City has prioritized support for the following high growth potential sectors including:
• Photonics;
• Bio-sciences;
• Manufacturing;
• High-tech; and
• the outdoor industry.
Most of the sectors identified above are also supported by the mission and vision of the District’s
CDP and the Innovation Campus. MSU plays a significant role in the growth and development of
Bozeman’s technology industry, and is the reason the Bozeman area is considered the technology center of the state.
Additionally, MSU’s research innovation has led to the creation and growth of businesses in
Bozeman and throughout the state, providing employment opportunities in industries such as
agriculture, energy, construction, healthcare, technology, photonics, manufacturing and biosciences.
Home to more than 100 technology-based firms, Bozeman has become the high-tech center of
Montana; and it is one of the largest technology communities in the northern Rocky Mountains.
Bozeman’s technology sector has grown significantly since the early 1990s.
Bozeman’s technology sector includes firms engaged in advanced manufacturing and laser
optics; information technology—application development, information technology services,
software, internet applications, telecom, etc.; biotech or bioscience; and agricultural,
environmental, or miscellaneous activities. These firms are, for the most part, selling their goods and services entirely to customers located outside of Montana and many located outside of the
United States. It is estimated that these firms directly employ more than 3,000 people whose
earnings are significantly higher than the county’s annual average wage.
MSU has grown to become a regional leader in research and creative projects with nearly $100 million in research expenditures in Montana each year. MSU was recognized by Carnegie
Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as one of 96 research universities nationally with
“very high research activity.” MSU has strong ties to industry in the Bozeman area, particularly
in the life science, aerospace, and information technology sectors. MSU lists relationships with
over 150 companies which include research support, licensing agreements, and consulting services.
Additionally, the concentration of research activity at MSU has fueled the development of
technology-based companies clustered in and around Bozeman and is a significant contributor to
Bozeman’s vibrant entrepreneurial technology economy. University technology transfer and commercialization activities have been driving economic development nationwide since the early
1980’s when changes in federal legislation accelerated the process and increased incentives for
collaboration between universities and industry. MSU is no exception. According to the MSU
Technology Transfer Office, technology developed at MSU has resulted in the spin-off of 30
companies and licensing by 37 companies in the Bozeman area and nearly 300 companies
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statewide. The university holds 163 licenses for patents for innovations such as biological,
chemical, and engineering processes and compounds, including coatings for the space shuttle and
pharmaceutical drugs. Of those 163 licenses, 60% are with Montana companies, many located in
Bozeman. Further development of the Innovation Campus will enhance these results. The strength of Bozeman’s technology economy has also translated into private companies
receiving research and development and investment funding. During the 2000-2004 time period,
Montana ranked 10th in the nation in the average annual number of federal Small Business
Innovation Research (SBIR) awards made, with nearly half going to Bozeman companies.
Ordinance 1844.
To create a technology district and authorize the use of tax increment financing, the Commission
must conduct a public hearing and adopt an ordinance, Sect. 7-15-4295, MCA. Ordinance 1844
address the following: legislative findings (Section 1); creation (Section 2); requirements for
tenants of the District (Section 3); annual report (Section 4); boundaries of the district (Section 5); authorizing the use of TIF (Section 6): term of the district (Section 7); costs which may be
paid from the district with TIF funds (Section 8); and filing of the ordinance with the Montana
Department of Revenue (Section 9). The City Attorney has reviewed the ordinance and finds it
complies with the legal requirements for creation of a technology district and the use of TIF
funds.
What is a Tax Increment Financing District or TIF?
Tax increment financing (“TIF”) is a state authorized, locally driven funding mechanism that
allows cities and counties to direct property tax dollars that accrue from new development,
within a specifically designated district, to community and economic development activities. In
Montana, TIF districts are authorized in Montana Code Annotated (MCA) parts 7‐15‐4201 and 4301, et. Seq.
Proposed TIF districts are typically characterized by blight and/or infrastructure deficiencies
that have limited or prohibited new investment. A base year is established from which
"incremental" increases in property values are measured. Virtually all of the resulting new
property tax dollars (with the exception of the six mill state‐wide university levy) can be directed to redevelopment and economic revitalization activities within the area in which they are generated.
Property owners located within a TIF district pay the same amount of property tax as they would
if the property were located outside the district. Thus, TIF only affects the way that taxes, once collected, are distributed. Taxes that are derived from the base year’s taxable values continue to be distributed to the various taxing jurisdictions – local and state government entities and school
districts. Taxes derived from the incremental increase in taxable value, however, are placed in a
special fund for purposes set forth in establishing the TIF program.
(For a more detailed explanation of TIFs in Montana see Tax Increment Financing in Montana: A Manual for Local Governments and Economic and Community Development Agencies, 2011,
The Governor’s Office of Economic Development.)
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Currently, the City of Bozeman supports four TIF districts. Three are urban renewal districts
(Downtown, Northeast and North 7th), and the fourth, Mandeville Farm, is an industrial TIF
district.
What can TIF Dollars Fund?
Section 7-15-4288, MCA, identifies the costs that may be paid by tax increment financing:
The tax increments may be used by the municipality to pay the following costs of or
incurred in connection with an urban renewal project, industrial infrastructure development project, technology infrastructure development project, or aerospace transportation and technology infrastructure development project:
(1) land acquisition; (2) demolition and removal of structures;
(3) relocation of occupants;
(4) the acquisition, construction, and improvement of infrastructure, industrial infrastructure, technology infrastructure, or aerospace transportation and technology
infrastructure that includes streets, roads, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, pedestrian malls,
alleys, parking lots and off-street parking facilities, sewers, sewer lines, sewage treatment facilities, storm sewers, waterlines, waterways, water treatment facilities, natural gas
lines, electrical lines, telecommunications lines, rail lines, rail spurs, bridges, spaceports
for reusable launch vehicles with associated runways and launch, recovery, fuel manufacturing, and cargo holding facilities, publicly owned buildings, and any public
improvements authorized by Title 7, chapter 12, parts 41 through 45; Title 7, chapter 13, parts 42 and 43; and Title 7, chapter 14, part 47, and items of personal property to be used in connection with improvements for which the foregoing costs may be incurred;
(5) costs incurred in connection with the redevelopment activities allowed under 7-15-4233; (6) acquisition of infrastructure-deficient areas or portions of areas;
(7) administrative costs associated with the management of the urban renewal area, industrial district, technology district, or aerospace transportation and technology district;
(8) assemblage of land for development or redevelopment by private enterprise or
public agencies, including sale, initial leasing, or retention by the municipality itself at its fair value;
(9) the compilation and analysis of pertinent information required to adequately
determine the needs of an urban renewal project in an urban renewal area, the infrastructure needs of secondary, value-adding industries in the industrial district, the
needs of a technology infrastructure development project in the technology district, or the
needs of an aerospace transportation and technology infrastructure development project in the aerospace transportation and technology district;
(10) the connection of the urban renewal area, industrial district, technology district,
or aerospace transportation and technology district to existing infrastructure outside the district;
(11) the provision of direct assistance, through industrial infrastructure development projects, technology infrastructure development projects, or aerospace transportation and technology infrastructure development projects, to secondary, value-adding industries to
assist in meeting their infrastructure and land needs within the district; and
(12) the acquisition, construction, or improvement of facilities or equipment for
reducing, preventing, abating, or eliminating pollution.
Ordinance 1844 references this statute for the range of uses for which the TIF money can be
spent.
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Community Engagement.
As part of the technology district creation process, the City and the Innovation Campus staff
consulted with Gallatin County and School District7 about the mission, vision, rationale and plan for the creation of a technology district. Meeting dates include:
Gallatin County Administration
• May 3, 2012
Gallatin County Commission
• August 6, 2012
Bozeman School District 7 Administration
• May 25, 2012
• July 30, 2012
Bozeman School District 7 Trustees
• August 24, 2012
• October 8, 2012
• October 15, 2012
• October 22, 2012
Scheduled Public Hearings
• November 5, 2012
• November 19, 2012
UNRESOLVED ISSUES: Once created, the City Commission has the authority to act on
behalf of the District. The Commission may appoint an advisory board to make
recommendations to the City on the expenditure of tax increment dollars. The implementation of
the CDP will be a partnership between the City of Bozeman and the Innovation Campus. In the future, staff will bring the issue of District administration and management back to the Commission for consideration. At that time, the Commission may consider the size and make-up
of an advisory board and the possibility of including School District 7 officials, or other
stakeholders, in some capacity.
ALTERNATIVES: As recommended by the Commission.
FISCAL EFFECTS: If Ordinance 1844 is approved, the District’s base year is created in 2012 and property taxes distributed to the City, County, and State from the defined area will be frozen
at the 2012 taxable value levels for the life of the district. In future years, beginning with tax
year 2013, any taxable value increases from new development or property appreciation will be
taxed at the same level as other City property, with the tax revenue going to the District. If there is no increase in taxable value, the District will receive no funds.
With the creation of the District, the City will establish a new special revenue fund for the
purpose of segregating the revenues derived from the technology district.
Funds received by the District from the increment are intended for infrastructure improvements shown on in the estimates on pages 17 – 21 of the CDP.
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Attachments:
1) Ordinance 1844 creating the South Bozeman Technology District
a. Exhibit A, legal description of the proposed South Bozeman Technology District; and b. Exhibit B, map of the proposed South Bozeman Technology District.
2) Property owners list; and
3) Public notification.
Report compiled on: October 26, 2012
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ORDINANCE NO. 1844
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA ESTABLISHING AND CREATING THE SOUTH BOZEMAN TECHNOLOGY DISTRICT; AUTHORIZING THE USE OF TAX
INCREMENT FINANCING; DETERMINING THE COSTS
TO BE PAID BY TAX INCREMENT FINANCING; ESTABLISHING A BASE TAXABLE YEAR AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Commission of the City of Bozeman, Montana:
Section 1
Findings. 1. The Commission (the “Commission”) of the City of Bozeman, Montana (the “City”) is
authorized to create a technology district pursuant to §7-15-4295, MCA and use tax
increment financing in furtherance of the purposes of the District pursuant to §§7-15-
4282 – 4294, MCA for the purpose of developing infrastructure to encourage the location and retention of technology infrastructure development projects in the City.
2. Job creation and industry diversification are critical to the long-term economic vitality of
Bozeman.
3. Consistent with the goals of the City of Bozeman’s Economic Development Plan, the
City wishes to stimulate, encourage and support the attraction, retention and growth of
jobs and industry in a variety of technology sectors.
4. The number and diversity of jobs created in a variety of technology sectors have high growth potential and support moderate to high income employment.
5. The area proposed for the South Bozeman Technology District (the “District”) consists of
a continuous area with an accurately described boundary that is large enough to host a
diversified tenant base of multiple independent tenants.
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6. With the adoption of Resolution 4414 on November 5, 2012, the Commission adopted a
comprehensive development plan for the District known as the “South Bozeman
Technology District Comprehensive Development Plan” (the “Plan”) that ensures that the
District can host a diversified tenant base of multiple independent tenants.
7. The area proposed for the District is currently zoned a combination of Business Park (BP)
and Community Commercial Mixed Use ( B-2), which authorize uses compatible with
the Plan and are in accordance with the Bozeman Community Plan and consistent with
the goals of the City of Bozeman’s Economic Development Plan.
8. The area proposed for the District does not comprise any property included within an
existing urban renewal area, industrial district, or aerospace transportation and
technology district created pursuant to §7-15-4295, MCA.
9. The area proposed for the District is deficient in infrastructure improvements necessary
for technology development.
10. The Commission has determined that the area proposed for District has not been designed
to serve the needs of a single district tenant or group of non-independent tenants.
11. The City has discussed the creation of the District and the use of tax increment financing
with the Gallatin County Commission and the Trustees of Bozeman School District No. 7
and in adopting this Ordinance has taken into account the effect on Gallatin County and
School District No. 7.
12. The City Commission reviewed and considered the relevant criteria established by §7-15-
4295, MCA and §§7-15-4282 – 4294, MCA, and found the proposed technology district
and the costs for which tax increment financing may be used to be in compliance with
these criteria; and,
13. After proper notice, the Commission held a public hearing on November 5, 2012, to
receive and review all written and oral testimony on the proposal to create the District
and use tax increment financing has determined the creation of the District is in the
public interest.
Section 2
Creation of the South Bozeman Technology Tax Increment Financing District.
The Commission, after having conducted a public hearing duly called and noticed in accordance
with the provisions of §7-15-4295, MCA, does hereby create the South Bozeman Technology
Tax Increment Financing District (the “District”) for the purpose of stimulating, encouraging and
supporting the attraction, retention and growth of jobs and industry in a variety of technology
sectors.
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Section 3
Requirements of Tenants of the District.
The tenants of the District must be businesses or organizations engaged in technology based
operations within Montana that through the employment of knowledge or labor add value to a
product, process, or export service that results in the creation of new wealth and for which at
least 50% of the sales of the business or organization occur outside of Montana or the business or
organization is a manufacturing company with at least 50 % of its sales to other Montana companies that have 50% of their sales occurring outside of Montana.
Section 4
Annual Report. At a date determined by the Director of Administrative Services, the District shall present the
Commission and file with the City Clerk a report describing: (1) the activities of the District for
the previous year; (2) the activities and the proposed costs to be paid by tax increment financing
in the upcoming year; and (3) whether the tenants of the District comply with Sections 1.5 and 3 of this Ordinance.
Section 5
Legal Description/Boundaries.
The legal description of the District is as shown on EXHIBIT A. The physical boundaries of the
District are as shown on EXHIBIT B (both exhibits are hereby incorporated herein and made a
part hereof).
Section 6 Authorization for Use of Tax Increment Financing/Base Year.
In accordance with §7-15-4282, the Commission hereby authorizes the segregation and application of tax increments as provided by §§7-15-4282 – 4294, MCA. For the purpose of
calculating the incremental taxable value each year for the life of the District, the base taxable
value shall be calculated as the taxable value of all property within the District as of January 1,
2012.
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Section 7
Term of Tax Increment Financing Technology District.
The tax increment financing technology district will terminate in accordance with §7-15-4292,
MCA.
Section 8
Costs Which May be Paid From Tax Increment.
The tax increment received by the District may be used to pay any costs incurred for an
infrastructure development project (in the District), pursuant to the provisions of §7-15-4282
through §7-15-4294, MCA.
Section 9
Filing with the Montana Department of Revenue.
The City Clerk shall file a copy of the Plan and this Ordinance with the Montana Department of
Revenue.
Section 10
Repealer. All provisions of the ordinances of the City of Bozeman in conflict with the provisions of
this ordinance are, and the same are hereby, repealed and all other provisions of the ordinances
of the City of Bozeman not in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 11
Savings Provision. This ordinance does not affect the rights and duties that matured, penalties that were
incurred or proceedings that were begun before the effective date of this ordinance. All other
provisions of the Bozeman Municipal Code not amended by this Ordinance shall remain in full
force and effect.
Section 12
Severability.
That should any sentence, paragraph, subdivision, clause, phrase or section of this
ordinance be adjudged or held to be unconstitutional, illegal, or invalid, the same shall not affect
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the validity of this ordinance as a whole, or any part or provision thereof, other than the part so
decided to be invalid, illegal or unconstitutional, and shall not affect the validity of the Bozeman
Municipal Code as a whole.
Section 13 Codification.
This Ordinance shall not be codified but shall be kept by the City Clerk and entered into a disposition list in numerical order with all other ordinances of the City and shall be organized in
a category entitled “Tax Increment Financing Districts.”
Section 14
Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days after final adoption.
***** End of Ordinance except for signature page and exhibits *****
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PROVISIONALLY PASSED by the City Commission of the City of Bozeman,
Montana, on first reading at a regular session held on the _____ day of ________________, 2012.
____________________________________ Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
STACY ULMEN, CMC
City Clerk
FINALLY PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED by the City Commission of the
City of Bozeman, Montana on second reading at a regular session thereof held on the ___ of
____________________, 2012. The effective date of this ordinance is __________, __, 2012.
_________________________________
SEAN A. BECKER
Mayor ATTEST:
_______________________________
STACY ULMEN, CMC City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________________ GREG SULLIVAN City Attorney
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South Bozeman Technology District
Property owners in the proposed district:
1) Advanced Technology INC
910 Technology Blvd. Suite A
Bozeman MT, 59718
S14, T02 S, R05 E MINOR SUB 195A NW4 41.97 AC TRACT C-1A
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE CREATION OF THE SOUTH BOZEMAN
TECHNOLOGY DISTRICT AND USE OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCING
Notice is hereby given that the City Commission for the City of Bozeman, Montana, at its
regular meeting on November 5, 2012, at 6 pm in Bozeman City Hall (121 N. Rouse Ave), will
hold two public hearings on the creation of the South Bozeman Technology District (the
“District”) pursuant to 7-15-4295, MCA. The Commission will first hold a public hearing on Resolution 4414 adopting the Comprehensive Development Plan for the District. The Commission will then hold a public hearing on Ordinance 1844 creating the District and
authorizing the use of tax increment financing for the District pursuant to 7-15-4282, MCA.
Copies of the proposed Resolution 4144, the South Bozeman Technology District Comprehensive Development Plan, and Ordinance 1844, which includes a tax increment financing provision, a map showing the boundaries of the proposed District, a legal description
of the proposed District, and a list of all properties subject to the proposed District, are on file in
the office of the Bozeman City Clerk, 121 N. Rouse Ave., Bozeman, MT.
Questions concerning the Resolution, Ordinance, the creation of the District, or the use of tax increment financing may be directed to Brit Fontenot, Director of Economic Development, City
of Bozeman, 121 N. Rouse Ave. Bozeman, Montana, by email at bfontenot@bozeman.net, or by
telephone to 406-582-2258.
Publish: October 21, 2012 and November 4, 2012
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