Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
CC:	Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager Britt Crum-Cano, Economic Development Coordinator
Date:	October 24, 2011
RE:	Language Alternatives for Section 4 of Neighborhood Revitalization Area Policy

A concern was expressed regarding the following draft language in Section 4 of the Neighborhood Revitalization Area (NRA) policy draft.  Below, staff has drafted several possible language alternatives for the City Commission to consider.

Current draft language:

SECTION FOUR:  AMOUNT OF REBATE:

The City will generally not provide a rebate amount in excess of 50% of the incremental property taxes and will generally not establish an NRA for a period of time longer than 10 years.  The City may consider a greater rebate and/or a longer duration if sufficiently justified in the “but for” analysis required by Section Five.  The determination of the rebate amount and duration of the NRA is the sole discretion of the Governing Body.  

Possible alternative draft language:

Alternative 1.

SECTION FOUR:  AMOUNT OF REBATE:

As a standard practice, the City will not provide a rebate amount in excess of 50% of the incremental property taxes and will not establish an NRA for a period of time longer than 10 years.  The City may consider a greater rebate and/or a longer duration if sufficiently justified in the “but for” analysis required by Section Five.  The determination of the rebate amount and duration of the NRA is the sole discretion of the Governing Body.  

Alternative 2.

SECTION FOUR:  AMOUNT OF REBATE:

The City will not provide a rebate amount in excess of 50% of the incremental property taxes and will not establish an NRA for a period of time longer than 10 years.  However, the City may consider a greater rebate and/or a longer duration if sufficiently justified in the “but for” analysis required by Section Five.  The determination of the rebate amount and duration of the NRA is the sole discretion of the Governing Body.