Not a Handout
It is not a handout — it is a risk-free growth tool
The most common fear council members face with development incentives is the perception of giving public money to a private developer. Developer-backed TIF Bonds work differently. When a constituent asks what you approved, the answer is straightforward: a development tool that grows the tax base while keeping the city financially protected.
- No public money spent, no new taxes created, no existing revenue redirected
- TIF captures only the increase in property taxes that would not exist without the development
- The developer guarantees any shortfall through a legally binding taxpayer agreement
- The lien runs with the land, holds property-tax priority, and precedes any mortgage — your city holds no debt and pledges no credit
Structuring Your TIF: What It Means for Tennessee and City Council Members
When a TIF Bond resolution comes before your Tennessee city council, the structuring details matter — not just for the project’s success, but for whether the deal delivers real value to your community while protecting public funds. Understanding how TIF[…]
TIF Overview for Tennessee City Council Members
As a city council member in Tennessee, you may soon be asked to vote on a TIF-supported development project — and that vote will carry weight with your constituents, your fellow council members, and the local media. Tennessee’s new TIF[…]
TIF Expertise: Common Pitfalls for Tennessee City Council Members to Avoid
Voting on a TIF resolution is one of the most consequential economic development decisions a Tennessee city council member will face. Developer-backed TIF Bonds under SB 1760 offer strong protections for your municipality, but there are common missteps that council[…]
Get the Plain-Language TIF Guide for Council Members
You should never have to vote on something you do not fully understand. Our free Tennessee TIF Guide for City Council Members breaks down SB 1760 / HB 1892 in clear, non-technical language — covering what developer-backed TIF Bonds are, how the taxpayer agreement protects your city, what happens to school district and county tax revenue, and how to communicate the benefits to your constituents. Download it before your next council session and walk in prepared.
Prefer to reach us directly?
capital@hagemancapital.com
Your Role
Your role in the TIF process — and what it means for your district
Your primary role is approving the economic impact plan (for IDB projects) or redevelopment plan (for Housing Authority projects) after a public hearing — Tennessee law allows this approval by resolution at a single reading. The economic development team and financial advisors present the analysis; your job is to evaluate whether the project genuinely benefits your community. Before that vote, understand:
- The project boundaries
- The estimated tax increment
- The duration of the allocation period
- The safeguards built into the developer's taxpayer agreement
Have Questions Before Your Next TIF Vote? Let's Talk.
Every council member deserves clarity before casting a vote on a TIF resolution. Hageman Capital provides free, no-obligation educational support to city council members across Tennessee — helping you understand the mechanics of developer-backed TIF Bonds, review the safeguards in the taxpayer agreement structure, and prepare clear talking points for constituent conversations. We work alongside your city’s existing advisors and staff, not in place of them. Connect with Whitney Peterson, our Director of Government Relations, to schedule a conversation.
Prefer to reach us directly?
capital@hagemancapital.com