Winter-2006

85001_GVCC_Mag.qxd 1/13/06 9:11 AM Page 18
Ask An Expert (continued)
6) Does a city have the right to condemn or
take a piece of property for any reason?
No. The power of eminent domain is
granted to governmental units and utilities
only to serve the greater public good in
fulfillment of the government’s powers and
responsibilities. A public utility, such as
NIPSCO, could acquire property for
extending power lines, but not for building a
school. General units of government, such as
the state, county, or city, are permitted to
acquire property for economic development or
the elimination of blighted conditions, as well
as general roads, bridges, parking, etc. In all
cases, the governmental unit or utility must be
able to demonstrate to a court the public
benefit of the acquisition and then pay not
only fair market value but also reasonable relocation
expenses to the private property owner.
7) Can or will utility lines be buried when
redevelopment occurs?
Generally not: Burying electrical and
communications lines is extremely expensive,
and in some cases, such as high voltage lines,
impractical. The aesthetics of a commercial
area can be improved if lines are relocated off
the street to alleyways, moved to higher
positions, softened with tree plantings, or
buried. When lines are buried, the adjacent
property owners will have to incur the expense
of connecting to the underground lines, and
bringing the service entrance up to new
electrical codes. Thus, underground service is
most feasible as part of new construction.
8) Who appoints the Redevelopment
Commission members?
By state law, the Mayor appoints 3 of the
5 members, and 2 are appointed by the City
Council. In Valparaiso, the City Council has
chosen to make its two appointments from
the membership of the City Council.
Commission members serve one-year
terms, must be residents of the city, and are
eligible for unlimited reappointments at the
pleasure of the appointing authority.
9) What does “TIF” stand for?
Tax Increment Financing.
10) How does a TIF work?
In general, TIF provides for the temporary
allocation to the redevelopment commission
of increased property tax proceeds (known as
the “increment”) in an allocation area
generated by increases in assessed value.
Thus, TIF permits the city to use increased
tax revenues stimulated by redevelopment to
pay for the capital improvements required
to induce redevelopment.
Valpopourri
The first railroad to serve the town was
the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago
(Pennsylvania) Railroad, which was
built through the town in 1858.
In 1906, the same year that
Home Mountain Printing
began operation, Reginald Fessenden
made the first extended radio broadcast.
In 2006, Home Mountain Printing
celebrates its 100 th anniversary, and we are
proud of this achievement. After all, we
have continued operation through the
Great Depression, two World Wars, and
other wars. In good time and bad, we have
been able to grow and prosper. We pride
ourselves on the excellence of our
Customer Service, and we continue
to provide our clients with the
finest printing and mailing services.
Though most companies do not stand the
test of time, there are some that have been
out there nearly as long as we have.
2102 N. Calumet Ave. • Valparaiso, IN 46383 • 219-462-6601
18 Valpo Magazine Winter 2006
ww