Several Starkville aldermen and Mayor Parker Wiseman said they hope to discuss a pending $11 million, 65,000-square-foot retail project with the developer and Golden Triangle Development LINK officials at a future board meeting after the matter was removed from the agenda Tuesday.
A communication breakdown is also evident between the LINK and city leaders after three aldermen — Ward 3’s David Little, Ward 4’s Jason Walker and Ward 5’s Scott Maynard — said they were unaware the LINK would be part of the canceled discussions.
LINK Chief Executive Officer Joe Max Higgins blasted aldermen for “keeping the bat on their shoulders” Tuesday with the potential development, which he disclosed only as a national athletic and outdoor merchandise chain with a possible restaurant site.
The project is five years in the making, Higgins said, and the LINK began working with the developer at the end of the process. The developer is ready to move forward with the project, he said, and is hoping to begin construction in February.
Both Walker and Maynard last weekend said they were unaware of the full nature of the executive session item — specifically the LINK’s involvement. Both Little and Walker confirmed receiving a two-page document about the talks, but the item only referenced the developer’s appearance.
The Dispatch spoke to the Maynard and Walker last weekend after Vice Mayor Roy A. Perkins emailed a statement to local media outlets identifying the nature of the discussion — a proposed tax increment financing (TIF) package for a new business — and said state law does “not allow the board to go into executive session” for the specific matter.
“Transactions of business and discussions or negotiations regarding the location, relocation or expansion of a business or industry” are eligible for closed-door discussions, according to state law.
On Thursday, Little also said he was unaware of the LINK’s involvement in the then-scheduled discussions. Little, Maynard and Walker each said they were open to holding the discussions at the next board meeting.
“I want to hear about it, and I welcome them (the LINK and the developer) to the table,” Little said Thursday. “I’m ready to start shoveling dirt just like they are. If they want to come and talk in private, come.”
Both Little and Walker said a communication gap between the two entities is evident as neither alderman received a phone call, email or text about the LINK’s work in the project.
“Communication is a two-way street,” Walker said. “For the LINK to put the lack of communication at the feet of the city isn’t helpful for what should be a partnership.”
‘Business decision for the city’
As far as terms of the TIF package, official have yet to disclose how much of a percentage of diverted ad valorem or projected sales taxes the developer is seeking to help fund bonds for infrastructure improvements. It is unknown what public infrastructure improvements are needed for the targeted parcel, which is located behind Sweet Peppers Deli on Highway 12.
It is also unknown if the project hinges on the TIF’s passage or what appetite aldermen have toward deferring tax revenues for it to land.
Higgins previously said the working percentages are “reasonable” and “if this project was to come to another community, it would be open arms and ‘Please come in.'”
“(TIFs) are always a business decision for the city,” Wiseman said. “One of the most critical factors is how much future taxes have already been pledged citywide with development. Right now, we have a considerable amount pledged for current and future developments. In addition to considering the opportunity for retail expansion, which is certainly something we want to see happen, we have to consider the long-term financial position of the city and how incurring future financial obligations could potentially affect the city’s long-term financial picture.”
TIF packages are commonly used to help fund improvements to properties that could generate more revenue through ad valorem and sales tax growth. City and county governments can choose the incremental amount of those new taxes to satisfy indebtedness created for the improvements.
TIFs have most recently been approved for HPM Development’s proposed car dealership on Highway 12, Mark Castleberry’s Mill at MSU and a redevelopment project at Middleton Court.
Starkville aldermen and Oktibbeha County supervisors routinely hold two public hearings on TIF packages before taking a formal vote on the matter.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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