CHINA: New tax rate to bring in more TIF money than previously anticipated

by Mary Grow

Members of China’s Tax Increment Financing Committee were pleased to learn that the new China tax rate will bring the TIF program over $44,000 more in 2024-25 revenue than they had anticipated.

After discussion at their Aug. 19 meeting, they decided to start setting aside money for a new project, improving parking at the causeway outside China Village for boaters and other users of China Lake.

Committee members are working on a third draft of China’s TIF plan. They approved the bulk of it at their Aug. 5 meeting (see the Aug. 8 issue of The Town Line, p. 2), but needed final financial information.

An incomplete draft is on the town website, chinamaine.org, under the TIF Committee, the last committee listed under Officials, Boards & Committees.

Committee member Jamie Pitney, who has been updating the document, planned to incorporate the parking proposal in time for review by China select board members at their Aug. 26 meeting. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said items for the Nov. 5 local ballot, including the updated TIF document, need to be ready by then.

The causeway and adjacent boat landing were rebuilt with TIF funds early in the 10-year-old program. The revision approved Aug. 5 includes extending a sidewalk and adding more dock space for fishing and swimming.

The Aug. 19 proposal is to work with Pastor Ronald Morrell, of the China Baptist Church, on improving the large parking lot west of the causeway that belongs to the church but is often occupied by lake users’ vehicles, including boat trailers.

TIF funds come from taxes Central Maine Power Company pays on its power line through China and its South China substation. The money is spent as authorized by local voters, with approval from the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. TIF Committee members oversee expenditures.

The committee currently consists of five members, two having resigned at the beginning of the current fiscal year. New volunteers are welcome; interested residents are invited to contact the town office, or any committee member: Brent Chesley, Lucas Adams, Karen Morin, Jamie Pitney or Benjamin Weymouth.

Committee members scheduled their next regular meeting for 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28.