Union City is poised to hold the first of two public meetings on the proposed Tax Allocation District (TAD) that will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot. Scheduled for Sept. 21 and Oct. 12, the meetings will highlight the city’s intent to redevelop the area around Shannon Mall and Ga. Highway 138.

The purpose of a Tax Allocation District, said City Administrator Terrell Jacobs, is to improve the infrastructure of business, residential and community areas through a process intended to redevelop and revitalize the town center area. If approved at voters in November, the TAD will place no additional tax burden on property owners, he said.

“The property tax rate remains the same as before the TAD was created,” said Mayor Ralph Moore. “However, the TAD establishes new streams of revenue for the city from increased property values after development.”

TADs have been created for immensely successful revitalization projects in metro Atlanta, including Atlantic Station in midtown Atlanta, Camp Creek Market Place in East Point and Lakeside Market Place in Acworth. Cities and counties all over Georgia increasingly pursue TADs because they can provide money for redevelopment but are not a tax increase for residents or a tax abatement for developers.

Union City residents will have several opportunities to receive an overview and give public comment on the proposed Redevelopment Powers Referendum. Mayor Moore and the City Council will provide information on the Redevelopment Powers Referendum Question and lay out the plan for the Union City redevelopment initiative in sessions to be conducted at city hall Sept. 21 and Oct. 12 at 6:30 PM.

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