STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Economic Development
AGENDA DATE: August 24, 2022
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 14
DEPARTMENT: Office of Economic Development
EXECUTIVE: Majed Al-Ghafry
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
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Uptown Public Improvement District
A public hearing to receive comments concerning: (1) the proposed levy of assessment for the Uptown Public Improvement District (the “District”), in accordance with Chapter 372, Texas Local Government Code,, for the purpose of providing supplemental public services to be funded by special assessments on property in the District; and, at the close of the public hearing: (2) authorize an ordinance approving and adopting the final 2023 Service Plan, the final 2022 Assessment Plan, the 2022 Assessment Roll (to be kept on file with the City Secretary), 2023 Notice of Obligation to Pay Improvement District Assessment (to be filed with Dallas County); (3) establishing classifications for the apportionment of costs and the methods of assessing special assessments for the services and improvements to property in the District; (4) closing the public hearing and levying a special assessment on property in the District for services and improvements to be provided in the District during 2023; (5) providing for reimbursement of city administrative costs for operational oversight of the District; (6) fixing charges and liens against the property in the District and against the owners thereof; (7) providing for the collection of the 2022 assessment; (8) authorizing the receipt and deposit of assessments from Dallas County; (9) authorizing the disbursement of assessments and interest to Uptown Inc.; (10) authorizing amendments to the District’s adopted 2022 Service Plan in accordance with the Act; (11) requiring City staff to file a copy of the amended service plan and notice with the Dallas county clerk; and (12) providing for an effective date - Not to exceed actual collections estimated at $3,257,279.00 - Financing: Uptown Public Improvement District Fund (subject to appropriations) (see Fiscal Information)
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BACKGROUND
Annually, City Council calls and holds a public hearing to consider the proposed assessment for property in the District and authorizes the Service Plan for the District. Upon adjournment of the hearing on the proposed assessments, the City Council must hear and pass on any objections to a proposed assessment and may amend a proposed assessment on any parcel. After hearing and passing on objections, the City Council by ordinance shall levy the assessment as a special assessment on the property in the District. A recent amendment to Section 372.013 of the Texas Local Government Code (the “Act”) requires a municipality or county to, not later than the seventh day after the date that the governing body of a municipality or county approves a service plan, file a copy of the approved plan with the county clerk of each county in which all or part of the public improvement district is located. If the governing of a municipality or county approves an amended or updated service plan, the filing must include a copy of the notice required under Section 5.014, Texas Property Code.
Uptown Inc., provided City staff with the proposed District Service Plan for 2023 and the proposed 2022 Assessment Plan for review, and staff found the services and improvements to be advisable and recommends approval subject to the public hearing on August 24, 2022. Uptown Inc., submitted the amended 2022 Service Plan due to the delays in implementing the capital improvement projects.
Dallas County will continue to collect assessments, retain a collection fee ($2.75 per account and subject to change), and City will then disburse assessments to the District management entity at a frequency outlined in the District’s management contract.
The District Service Plan consists of:
(a) Nature of the Services and Improvements. The general nature of the proposed improvements and services to be performed by the District is to enhance public safety and security, lighting, sidewalk and streetscape improvements, landscaping improvements including plantings, hardscape, trolley operation and capital improvements, District marketing and promotional activities and improvements as authorized by the Act and approved by City Council.
(b) Estimated Cost of the Services and Improvements. During the next five-year period, the estimated annual cost of the improvements and services provided by the District is expected to range from a low of $3,585,007.00 in 2024 to a high of $4,770,982.00 in 2027. The total estimated net assessments to be collected during the next five-year period is approximately $19,886,014.00. The District shall incur no bonded indebtedness.
(c) Boundaries. The boundaries of the District are located wholly within the City of Dallas, Dallas County, Texas. The boundaries of the District are attached to the ordinance as shown in Exhibit A.
(d) Method of Assessment. The assessment shall apportion the costs each year among the property owners on the basis of special benefits accruing to the property. The proposed method of assessment, which may specify included or excluded classes of assessable property, shall be assessed according to the value of the real property and real property improvements as determined by the Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD). The net assessment amount for the 2023 Service Plan year is proposed to be $3,257,279.00. This amount is approximately equal to $0.04500 per $100.00 valuation. Once levied, this assessment rate shall not increase during the 2023 Service Plan year. Future annual assessment rates, however, may be increased up to a maximum of $0.15 per $100.00 valuation subject to appropriations set forth in the petition that created the District. Any future increase in the assessment rate would also be subject to a public hearing and approval by the City Council.
The real property of jurisdictions and entities that have obtained an exemption from City of Dallas real property taxes pursuant to the Texas Property Code (except under the provisions of Sections 11.24 and 11.28 of the Texas Tax Code) will not be subject to an assessment on that portion of the assessed value of the property exempt from City real property taxes. Property owned by tax-exempt religious organizations will be exempt from assessment as will property owned by persons already receiving and qualifying for 65-or-older homestead exemption under Section 11.13 (c) or (d) of the Texas Tax Code as well as City-owned property including rights-of- way and public parks, railroad rights-of-way and cemeteries. Payment of assessments by other exempt jurisdictions and entities must be established by contract.
(e) Apportionment of costs between the District and the Municipality as a Whole. The assessment is levied on the real property and real property improvements in the District according to the value of such property. Levying the assessment for the services and improvements based on the appraised value of the property results in the apportionment of the costs on the basis of special benefits accruing to the property. City right-of-way, railroad right-of-way, City parks and cemeteries are not specially benefitted and therefore are not subject to assessment. The City of Dallas is not responsible for payment of assessment against exempt City property in the District.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On June 13, 2012, City Council authorized the renewal of the District for a seven-year period and designated the Uptown Inc., as the management entity for the District by Resolution No. 12-1584.
On September 9, 2015, City Council authorized an ordinance approving and adopting the District’s final 2016 Service Plan, 2015 Assessment Plan, and the 2015 Assessment Roll by Resolution No. 15-1705 and Ordinance No. 29870.
On September 14, 2016, City Council authorized an ordinance approving and adopting the District’s final 2017 Service Plan, 2016 Assessment Plan, and the 2016 Assessment Roll by Resolution No. 16-1506 and Ordinance No. 30211.
On September 13, 2017, City Council authorized an ordinance approving and adopting the District’s final 2018 Service Plan, 2017 Assessment Plan, and the 2017 Assessment Roll by Resolution No. 17-1493 and Ordinance No. 30647.
On September 12, 2018, City Council authorized an ordinance approving and adopting the District’s final 2019 Service Plan, 2018 Assessment Plan, and the 2018 Assessment Roll by Resolution No. 18-1325 and Ordinance No. 30989.
On September 12, 2018, City Council authorized an amended and restated management contract with Uptown Inc., the non-profit corporation designated as the management entity for the District to reflect changes in the process for disbursement of assessment revenue, authorizing the City to disburse assessments to Uptown Inc., and to address other amendments to the agreement form by Resolution No. 18-1326.
On June 12, 2019, City Council authorized the renewal of the District for a a seven-year period and designated the Uptown Inc., as the management entity for the District by Resolution No. 19-0939.
On September 11, 2019, City Council authorized an ordinance approving and adopting the District’s final 2020 Service Plan, 2019 Assessment Plan, and the 2019 Assessment Roll by Resolution No. 19-1446 and Ordinance No. 31327.
On September 9, 2020, City Council authorized an ordinance approving and adopting the District’s final 2021 Service Plan, the 2020 Assessment Plan, and the 2020 Assessment Roll by Resolution No. 20-1369 and Ordinance No. 31645.
On August 25, 2021, City Council authorized an ordinance approving and adopting the District’s final 2022 Service Plan, 2021 Assessment Plan, and the 2021 Assessment Roll by Resolution No. 21-1426 and Ordinance No. 31983.
The Economic Development Committee was briefed by a memorandum regarding this matter on August 1, 2022. <https://cityofdallas.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=11097104&GUID=E86BD973-D39C-4574-ABB3-55BFF2A1B4E7>
On August 10, 2022, City Council authorized a public hearing to be held on August 24, 2022, to receive comments on the District’s final 2023 Service Plan and 2022 assessment rate by Resolution No. 22-1107.
City Council was briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on August 19, 2022 <https://dallascityhall.com/government/citymanager/Documents/FY%2021-22%20Memos/Public%20Hearing%20PID%20Rates%20for%202022,%202023%20Service%20Plans_08192022-Exhibit%20A.pdf>.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2022 |
FY 2023 |
Future Years |
|
Uptown Public Improvement District Fund |
$0.00 |
$3,257,279.00. |
$0.00 |
Cost consideration to others - For District property owners, the proposed assessment amount is approximately equal to $0.0450 per $100.00 of appraised value as determined by DCAD. (i.e., property owners within the boundaries of the District pay the assessment and, after disbursement by the City, the funds are managed by a private, non-profit entity pursuant to the approved service plan and a management contract with the City).