The Delaware County Board of Commissioners voted Nov. 17 to adopt Resolution 25-965, formally objecting to Orange Township’s proposed tax-increment financing (TIF) incentive district tied to the Evans Farm development and authorizing county staff to negotiate a compensation agreement.

Why it matters: County officials said the proposed TIF would include residential parcels and overlap with an existing county commercial TIF, potentially reducing tax receipts or creating conflicting tax districts. The board framed the objection as consistent with past practice and a step toward negotiating terms that protect county interests.

Eric Butler, the board’s general counsel, said the county received notice from Orange Township about the proposed district and that "we have historically objected to residential TIF, incentive districts." He added that the county has "successfully negotiated compensation agreements in most cases" and recommended that the board object and authorize negotiations for a compensation agreement.

Commissioners raised the overlap concern after staff noted some parcels in the proposed district overlap with an existing county commercial TIF. Commissioner discussion emphasized protecting the county’s fiscal interests; no alternate motions were offered. The board voted unanimously, with Barb Lewis, Gary Merrill and Jeff Benton recorded as voting Aye.

Next steps: The resolution authorizes county counsel and staff to negotiate a compensation agreement with Orange Township. The transcript does not specify a negotiation timeline or the limits of any compensation proposal.