On November 8, 2010 the City Council approved a request by the Billings Industrial Revitalization District (BIRD) to allocate $500 of East Billings Tax Increment Finance District (EBTIFD) funds towards a feasibility study for the North Park Children’s Center (NPCC). The NPCC would bring together childcare, preschool, after-school care, Head Start and other children’s services in one convenient location. The cost for this project presented to the Council in the staff memo was in error and the request should have been for $2,500 as the attached letter from the BIRD indicates. The letter recommends funds for the “administration” cost for the North Park Children’s Center. In fact, these funds will be used to develop a feasibility study. The study will examine several factors of public benefit to the East Billings Urban Renewal District, including a needs assessment for child care in the District and the social and economic benefits to the residents and businesses in the District for a child care center.

The City Council may:
• Rescind the prior allocation of $500 and approve the BIRD’s request to allocate $2,500 of EBTIFD funds towards a feasibility study for the North Park Children’s Center.
• Do not rescind the prior allocation of $500 and deny the BIRD’s request allocate $2,500 of EBTIFD towards a feasibility study for the North Park Children’s Center.

The East Billings Urban Renewal and Tax Increment Finance District received $194,111 in tax year 2009/FY2010. Combined with the carryover of $102,930 from the previous year, less funds obligated to First Interstate Bank; $202,009 is available for project costs. The Council has approved FY11 expenditures totaling $52,972.50 leaving a total of $149,036.50 for additional projects.

Staff recommends that City Council rescind the prior allocation of $500.00 and approve the Billings Industrial Revitalization District’s request to allocate $2,500 of East Billings Tax Increment Finance District funds towards a feasibility study for the North Park Children’s Center.