The Monmouth City Council on Monday failed to approve an ordinance that would allow golf carts, Gators, and other non-highway utility vehicles on city streets.
City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher says that an amendment was made to the ordinance to lower the registration and inspection fee before the vote was taken.
“There was a motion to lower the inspection fee and the annual registration fee from what the staff had recommended,” Steinbrecher told WGIL on Tuesday. “And then, the vote was 3-4. So, the ordinance did not pass.”
Steinbrecher adds that the policy is no longer under consideration for the council but could be brought forward again if aldermen wish it.
The City Council also approved a term sheet agreement with Hirschbach Trucking as part of a property tax rebate with the new tax increment finance district in the Maple City.
Steinbrecher says that Hirschbach is planning a $14M expansion and would be eligible for 30 percent of that to be reimbursed, based on their upgrades. That would come out to $4.153M in tax rebates.
“Two important things. One, that this is performance-based. If they do not perform to the level they’ve represented their incentive would be reduced proportionately. The other thing is that there are no upfront, out-of-pocket expenses to the city. There is no use of general fund tax dollars.”
As with other TIF districts, the rebates paid to Hirschbach would be paid through the incremental increases in the property value made through the improvements promised.
