Senate Passes Timken Bill Expanding TIF Usage To Police And Fire Station Construction

COLUMBUS—The Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 307, sponsored by State Senator Jane Timken (R-Jackson Township), which allows local governments to fund the construction of police and fire stations using revenue from Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreements. 

"By allowing the usage of TIF revenue to build police and fire stations, we can ensure that cities and townships have the flexibility to leverage revenue they already collect to build necessary public safety infrastructure to support the development of underserved and quickly growing areas of the state,” said Senator Timken. “This legislation will empower local governments to support development projects that bring jobs to the community.”

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a mechanism available to local governments that allows them to fund public infrastructure and residential rehabilitation projects. 

Senate Bill 307 allows local governments to enter into TIF agreements to fund the construction of police and fire stations. Currently, the Ohio Revised code prohibits the usage of TIF revenue to be used on police and fire equipment and does not permit its usage for police and fire facilities.

Senate Bill 307 now heads to the Ohio House for further consideration.

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