The Centralia City Council approved a motion stating intent to consider establishing a Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bond District on the east side of Centralia. STAR Bonds can be used to finance the development and revitalization of major tourism, entertainment, retail, and destination-based projects in STAR Bond districts. Centralia City Manager Galen Mahle said that the district could lead to a new hotel and new retail locations, among other projects.
“We know that Castle Ridge and Meadow Woods have been talking about their outdoor amphitheater for concerts and things like that, that would be a venue that would bring people to town,” Mahle said. “We’re going to need more places for them to stop, eat, shop, and all of those things. What STAR bonds do is make it possible with another incentive. It’s money that will get spent here, and then get used here for new developments, especially retail establishments.”
A public hearing on the proposed district and preliminary development plan will be held on November 19 at 5:00 p.m. Once the city establishes a STAR Bond District plan, it will require state approval.
Mahle noted that the shopping center is not currently being considered for the STAR Bond District due to it being located in Clinton County, which places it in a different DCEO region than Marion County, creating complications. However, Mahle said the city is looking at creating a business district containing the shopping center area to support renovations. Mahle expects a public hearing on that potential district could take place in late December or early January.
In other items at Monday night’s meeting, the city of Centralia received a Triple Crown award from the Government Finance Officers Association, recognizing the accomplishment of receiving a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award, and Distinguished Budget Presentation Award in the same year. Mahle noted that fewer than 1% of all municipalities qualify for this award each year. Council members credited and thanked City Treasurer Jeremy Henderson for his work, which was essential for Centralia to earn the recognition.
A bid was approved from Furlong Excavating for lead service line inventory in Centralia for an amount not to exceed $100,000.
