 Documentation for audits and the city
The commission finalized their plans to submit a document with
their financial audit next year. This document would provide a
summary of the commission's processes, assets and liabilities.
Such a document also serves as a type of introductory statement
to the company in charge of the audit. The commission members view
this as a step in the right direction in letting the business world
know they are serious about their role in planning.
The city of Lincoln is also asking the commission for a similar
type of document, albeit more in the form of a bulleted list. The
city provides $15,000 to the planning commission every year.
Lincoln Mayor Keith Snyder and Alderman Jeff Hoinacki provided
the commission with guidance as to what the city wants to see in
such a report.
Hoinacki suggested that such a list should include the work being
done on the bicycle trail plan and the commission's efforts in
cleaning up their budget over the last year.
Graff said that while Snyder and Hoinacki may understand what the
commission is working on, other city council members do not have
that firsthand knowledge.
Crane said he thinks the commission should provide such a report
to other providers aside from the city of Lincoln in order to keep
other people updated.
Bike trail plan
Commission members present received a copy of the bike trail plan
being developed by Farnsworth Group.
Bret Aukamp expressed his approval of it and said he feels it is
a "workable document and something we can use to go after funding."
He added: "Will it be changed in the future? I'm sure it will."
Graff said that changing the plan in the future would not be an
issue, as specific trails will be laid out after the overall plan is
approved.
Furthermore, Aukamp said he has shared this plan with those who
are working on the high-speed rail. Without the plan, Aukamp said he
would not have been able to speak with the rail workers on the
matter.
The commission will vote on the plan next month, after all of the
commission members have had a chance to see it.
[to top of second column] |
Upcoming enterprise zone changes
D'Andrea gave a presentation on upcoming changes that will be
made to the enterprise zone.
The state of Illinois recently passed legislation stating that
the current zone layout will be erased in 2016. Zones expiring
before then will be granted an extension until that date. D'Andrea
did mention that the Logan County zone is actually set to expire in
2017, and he has been attempting to get that misunderstanding worked
out.
D'Andrea also provided what the new criteria will be for
applications for enterprise zones. The new criteria will use a
scoring system, though the actual method of calculating those scores
is still vague, aside from the aspects of the potential zone that
will be ranked.
D'Andrea said the first applications will be accepted in late
2013 or early 2014. It is expected to take several months for the
advisory board to approve or disapprove of the application. Should a
zone be denied, reapplication will be allowed, and the first new
zones are expected to be established in 2015.
The commission members expressed a desire for the county to apply
as early as possible and as often as possible.
D'Andrea said he is expecting get more information at the spring
conference of the Illinois Enterprise Zone Association.
D'Andrea emphasized a question on what he should tell businesses
that apply to be in the zone before that time. Businesses were told
in the past that they would have 10 years of enterprise zone
benefits, but now the zoning office is unsure what exactly will
happen in those instances.
Commission members present were Bill Graff, chairman; Jim Fuhrer,
vice chairman; Keith Snyder; Fred Finchum; Bret Aukamp; Bill Martin;
Jeff Hoinacki; and Derrick Crane. Zoning officer Will D'Andrea was
also present.
[By DEREK HURLEY]
Another article on the meeting:
Regional planning discusses
ongoing Comprehensive Plan survey |
