Last night the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce held an Candidate Forum for the four Marshalltown City Council At-Large Candidates and two Mayoral candidates.  Chamber CEO, John Hall, asked the candidates about the TIF, Tax Increment Financing, agreement with the new Marshalltown Mall owners.  Mayoral Candidate, Mike Ladehoff answered first.

Ladehoff shares that there is a base amount that the Mall will pay over time and each stair step the city will collect more in taxes from the Mall owners.

Gary Thompson is the other candidate for Mayor of Marshalltown.  He voted against the TIF agreement with the new Mall owners.

Thompson feels TIF should be used to incentivize businesses not reward them.  Thompson shares a couple problems he sees with this agreement.

The entire hour long Forum is online at KFJB-TV’s YouTube and Facebook pages.  KFJB will share 10 minute interviews with each candidate for the Marshalltown City and School election starting next week.

Zach Tomesch, News Director KFJB