Du Quoin to Establish Second TIF District

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ The Du Quoin City Council and Du Quoin economic development director Jeff Ashauer Monday night took the first steps in establishing a second Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District in Du Quoin.

A TIF is a development tool that diverts real estate tax income from any future growth in total assessed valuation to a special community economic development fund.

The first TIF was established last year and its geographic boundaries are largely those of downtown Du Quoin.

The boundaries of the second TIF are largely those of the Du Quoin Industrial Park. The mayor's office forecasts future growth in that area because of construction of a new commercial drive through the industrial park and one or more new industries showing an interest in locating there. The TIF would establish a baseline of assessed valuation. The money from any future assessment growth will go into a fund for economic development.

The plan for a feasibility study was placed on file in the city clerk's office for public inspection.

In other action, the council abated all but the pension portion of real estate taxes payable in 2009 as previously discussed in newspaper articles.

Approved an ordinance authorizing the sale of a 1999 Dodge Intrepid car.

Discussed, then approved an ordinance expanding handicapped parking on along Walnut Street near the Sacred Heart Church.

Approved to put on public display a mutual aid emergency response agreement between the Du Quoin ESDA and Marshall Browning Hospital.

Approved to place on public display an agreement between Du Quoin and J.T. Blankinship in the amount of $62,541 for engineering on a new industrial park road.

Met in executive session then approved a 75-cent per hour pay increase for health, safety and animal control officer Ron Darnell.

The council will meet in executive session to discuss issues related to salary schedules and personnel

Action Resulting from Executive Session

Release Executive Session minutes from 2008 to the Public