City Appoints TIRZ Board of Directors

The Dripping Springs City Council approved a resolution appointing its five representatives to the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Board at its Dec. 11 meeting. 

The five board members appointed by the city were:  David Edwards (who is the current TIRZ board chair), Mim James, Missy Atwood, Dr. Bruce Gearing, and John McIntosh. All terms have endings on Dec. 31, 2020. 

As set up by the City in Nov. of 2016, the TIRZ board consists of seven persons, with the City appointing five seats, and Hays County Commissioners Court appointing the remaining two seats. 

The seven-member advisory board is responsible for making recommendations to the City Council regarding the administration of the TIRZ, TIRZ Project Plans, as well as expenditures related to development and redevelopment of land within the specific geography of the TIRZ within the city limits.

A TIRZ is defined as a political subdivision of a county or municipality created to implement tax increment financing as authorized by the Tax Increment Financing Act, Chapter 311 of the Texas Code (the “Act”), as amended.   

“The objective of the TIRZ is to provide infrastructure improvements that will allow for responsible growth while preserving the character of Dripping Springs as much as possible,” current TIRZ Board Chair David Edwards said.  The board currently has identified four priority projects – a town center, Old Fitzhugh Road, the Triangle, and downtown parking.  Other projects will be identified in the future.

The town center concept plan is currently under development. “A possible outcome would be an area that would house civic facilities, including the community library, located around a central green space that could be used for local gatherings,” Edwards said.

Edwards also emphasized that all planning includes heavy input from the community. “The Old Fitzhugh Road concept plan, which has been adopted by city council, was developed with extensive input from the area residents and landowners.” Edwards said.

 To fund its implementation, the Dripping Springs TIRZ will collect 50% of any incremental increases in tax revenue of the city and county, within the TIRZ geographic area, that occursafter its creation date of 2016 (the additional revenue based on increased values or new development). No new taxes are assessed by the TIRZ. 

When asked what the most important thing for residents to understand about the TIRZ is, Edwards said, “[I think that] with the explosive growth that we are experiencing in this area, the TIRZ presents an opportunity to encourage that growth in a way that preserves the heritage and sense of community in Dripping Springs.”