Winfield delays decision on downtown tax district

Winfield trustees once again have postponed a decision on a special taxing district to give the village more time to sell two school districts on the proposal.

The village board on Thursday night was supposed to vote to establish a second tax increment financing district in the village's downtown. But for the second time in a month, the board postponed the decision so village officials could negotiate with representatives from Winfield Elementary District 34 and West Chicago High School District 94.

"It was agreed that we would meet again on Nov. 12 to continue these discussions," Winfield Village President Carl Sorgatz said Thursday.

A vote on the taxing district is now expected to happen Nov. 18.

In a tax increment financing district, property taxes paid to local governments are frozen for up to 23 years. Any extra property tax money collected within the area after the district is established goes into a special fund to help pay for certain improvements.

Winfield has an existing TIF district set to expire in 2028. Proponents say the new TIF district is needed to spur continued downtown development, including to generate money for a potential new police station and village hall complex.

But the village's plan to create a second TIF district is controversial because local taxing bodies can't collect the extra property tax money until the TIF district runs out.

There's fear the new TIF district would cost District 34 and District 94 millions of dollars in lost revenue before expiring in 2044.

To address their concerns, school district officials want an intergovernmental agreement with the village over revenue sharing.

Sorgatz said the board of trustees previously met with District 34 and District 94 representatives on Oct. 26 and Wednesday. He also said other local taxing bodies are aware of the ongoing discussions.

"I'm glad we've been able to spend this time so far in productive negotiations," said Sorgatz, though he also emphasized time constraints and the need to vote by Nov. 18.

Sorgatz expressed concerns about statewide changes to TIF laws that would come into effect at the start of 2022. In addition, the new TIF district must be established before construction is completed on a new parking garage across the street from Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital.

Sorgatz said a new TIF district in the village's downtown would provide "real, tangible improvements for the future of Winfield, its residents and our quality of life."