Your Opinion: Urge City Council to reject TIF proposal

Dear Editor:

On June 23 the Cole County-Jefferson City TIF (Tax Increment Financing) Commission chose to vote against passage and recommend to not pass by a vote of 7-1 an $8 million grant to the redevelopers of the old Ramada Inn, Truman Hotel complex.

I now hear that the city is considering voting against the recommendation. What? The city is asking for us taxpayers, many on fixed incomes, to renew a sales tax which is set to expire soon and allow them to give away $8 million.

The hue and cry I hear is the tax is sorely needed. That being the case how could our council even consider giving away $8 million for a project which is considered overpriced by $15 million after their own city-appointed committee turned it down.

I appeal to those of us who pay taxes and pay attention.

Do not let the council do this to Jefferson City.

If the city has $8 million to give away then we don't need to vote for the sales tax renewal. Plain and simple.

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