02.16.16 EDA Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Establishing the Washington County CDA The Washington County HRA was created in 1980 under a special enabling law. In order to carry out the recommendation of the 20+ member work group and add economic development powers to the HRA, this enabling law must be amended. The proposed bill will add to the HRA the powers of an economic development authority and will formally establish the Washington County CDA. The proposed Dill follows the same process taken by CDAs established in Dakota, Scott, and Carver counties. Goals and Benefits of Proposed Bill Goals The proposed bill to amend the HRH's enabling law was drafted to fulfill the following goals: • Add powers to enable the County to address economic needs. • Provide flexibility to determine the nature and extent of economic development activities given the diversity of municipalities, large and small. • Maintain current level of control by County Board over levy authorization. • Complement programs of municipal economic development authorities and not impede their activities. • Confer consistent geographic jurisdiction, defined as the boundaries of Washington County, for both HRA and EDA activities. Benefits Adoption of the proposed bill will empower the HRA with the authority necessary to undertake the following Economic Development Strategic Plan goals, which are not currently provided in its existing enabling law: • Implement county marketing and public relations programs. • Implement any economic development studies needed as a basis to document need for financial assistance programs. • Implement financial assistance programs for economic development purposes. Key Aspects of the Proposed Bill Key aspects of the proposed bill include naming of the agency, determining levy authority, establishing relationship to municipal economic development authorities, offering tax -forfeited lands to the CDA, and identifying limitations requiring County Board approval. Agency Renaming In order to adequately represent the combined housing, redevelopment and economic development powers to be bestowed, it is proposed the HRA be renamed the Washington County Community Development Agency (CDA). While this term is not defined in statute, the CDA nomenclature has been adopted by Dakota, Carver and Scott counties in their respective enabling laws. The consistency in terminology across the Minneapolis -St. Paul metropolitan area provides for greater recognition and understanding of a county CDA. ra