LETTER: Norman residents should have a direct say in proposed TIF

Thursday’s Transcript coverage of the TIF oversight committee provided useful information and analysis regarding the proposed “Rock Creek” new area. To recap, the oversight committee endorsed the University North Park (UNP) development plan by a vote of 5-1 but then rejected the proposed TIF funding mechanism 3-2 that would sequester all sales and ad valorum taxes within the TIF district for 25 years.

Those oversight committee members objecting to the TIF funding noted that, as currently proposed, the TIF would cannibalize the tax revenue going into Norman’s general fund to support police, fireman, and other infrastructure projects. In the prior UNP TIF, Norman and Cleveland County received a substantial cut of the district tax revenue. Thus, prima facia the proposed new TIF is a substantially worse deal for the average Norman citizen. How this spilt, or lack thereof, was determined is not clear, but the City appears to have sent rubber-stamping B-Team negotiators. The notion of negotiating a better deal from the developers and the OU Foundation deserves strong consideration going forward.

In addition to the tax split / revenue issue, potential traffic and parking problems were also cited by the objecting oversight committee members. No comprehensive traffic plan exists that addresses not only the arena traffic but also the commuter traffic from the 3,000 housing units that will be built. Such a traffic plan must consider widening key access streets, revamping exits off I-35 (including a new exit at Rock Creek), and the impact on emergency services to the Norman Regional Healthplex. Of course, any such plan needs to state who will pay for traffic infrastructure.

I think it is appropriate for Norman’s voters to have a direct say on the proposed TIF even if, for legal constraints, it is a non-binding resolution. Our collective voices should be heard in the first person. On such an important issue “Just trust us, and I’ve talked to a lot of people” doesn’t cut it. We want a say and I strongly suspect we want a better deal.

Andrew Cullen, Norman