China TIF Committee Votes to Seek Consultant for Fourth Amendment

The China TIF Committee reviewed the current-year TIF account and discussed pursuing a fourth amendment to the program. Members voted 6-0 to ask the select board to authorize an RFP for a consultant to help modernize the TIF, including questions about libraries, museums, emergency services, and trail funding.

Key points

• The committee reviewed the 2026-27 TIF expenditures, including C2 community funds (China Community Days, China Ice Days, community garden) and C7 breakdowns for the China Four Seasons Club and Thurston Park.
• Members noted the town captured about $373,000 in the 2025-26 year while budgeting roughly $215,000, leaving a surplus, and discussed whether the TIF is being used fully.
• A prior attempt to use $50,000 in TIF funds for a church parking lot was rejected by the state, and members discussed whether that money could be redirected through a fourth amendment.
• Members discussed whether TIF funds could support a library, museum, or emergency services, and agreed to seek legal and consultant guidance on what the statutes allow.
• The committee voted 6-0 to have the select board authorize an RFP for a consultant, using existing TIF program expense funds, to help modernize the program.

Next steps

• Staff will place the consultant RFP request on the select board agenda for the 5th.
• The committee will meet again on the 26th at 6 p.m., with members bringing questions for the consultant.
• Members will reach out to contacts, including the town assessor and Katie Cogg, for consultant leads.

Read the full transcript