Question 1

What is the Good Life District and how long will it exist?

Accepted Answer

The 875-acre district includes land bordering Highway 281 from 13th Street to Capital Avenue and the undeveloped area northeast of Webb Road and Capital Avenue to the Veterans Athletic Complex. The area could expand in the future if approved by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The district will exist for 30 years. The state sales tax rate for the portion of the district within city limits will reduce from 5.5% to 2.75% on Oct. 1.

Question 2

How will the district help economic development?

Accepted Answer

The state approved Grand Island’s district on June 5, but voters must decide whether the city should replace the 2.75% sales given up by the State with a local sales tax of the same amount. Rather than going to the State, your vote FOR the Good Life District Program will allow proceeds from the replacement tax to remain in Grand Island, transforming Grand Island for the benefit of our residents. It’s projected the first year alone will generate at least $7 million in local sales tax revenue.

Question 3

What kind of developments are planned?

Accepted Answer

Projects on the drawing board include a comprehensive indoor/outdoor sports complex, other recreational facilities, commercial/retail development, and housing.

Question 4

What are voters being asked to approve?

Accepted Answer

Voters are being asked to approve Grand Island’s Good Life District Economic Development Program and replacing the 2.75% of state sales tax with 2.75% in local sales taxes in the portion of the Good Life District that’s within city limits. This will not affect existing local sales tax or result in higher sales tax. A portion of the existing state sales tax will instead go to the city for development within the district. The city will decide which projects will benefit.

Question 5

What if voters don’t approve the program?

Accepted Answer

The Good Life District would see less development than would occur if the program is approved. That would result in lower tax receipts for the city. Also, the total tax rate for sales within the district would be 2.75% less than the tax rate elsewhere in the Grand Island.

Question 6

Who benefits from the program?

Accepted Answer

Every property owner or developer in the Good Life District will be able to apply for benefits from the program. The city will also be able to use funds for infrastructure related to the district. The city will evaluate applications and decide how the money is spent with an eye toward transformational development.

Question 7

Do property owners in the district still control their property?

Accepted Answer

Any property owner who doesn’t want to take advantage of the program is free to develop (or not develop) their property without regard to the Good Life District, subject to the city’s zoning rules and other similar restrictions.

Question 8

Can property be removed from the district?

Accepted Answer

Property can be removed from the Good Life District by request of the original applicant under limited circumstances but only after a public hearing and evaluation of the reasons by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

Question 9

Will property taxes be used for the Good Life District?

Accepted Answer

No property taxes can be levied for the program, nor can the city use property taxes or local sales taxes levied outside the district to pay for the program.

Question 10

Will the Good Life District affect Tax Increment Financing (TIF)?

Accepted Answer

No, the rules Tax Increment Financing will not change. TIF will continue to operate separately.

Question 11

Will this negatively impact Grand Island Public Schools?

Accepted Answer

Nothing in the Good Life District statutes impacts the school district or school district funding. People drawn to Grand Island by projects within the district are expected to be short-term visitors rather than new residents.

Question 12

What about city costs?

Accepted Answer

City costs for operating the program will be paid for with funds raised through the program itself. Property taxes and other city funds are not expected to be impacted. The city’s existing 2% local sales tax will remain in effect for the Good Life District, which means any enhanced sales tax revenues will benefit the city’s finances more broadly.

SPECIAL ELECTION

Ballots will be mailed to registered voters July 22. Return completed ballots by mail or in-person by August 13.

SPECIAL ELECTION

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