Mayor Powell say TIF acts need tweeking to prevent abuse.

Powell said TIF can be a valuable tool, especially for cities such as Arnold that depend on sales tax revenue for survival, but he believes the current TIF law can also lead to abuse and development disasters.

"I believe Arnold did it the right way because we didn't allow the developer to come in here like they did in Sunset Hills and offer contracts on individual properties and then back out," he said. "We offered a buyout program that allowed the property owner to determine when they were to get their money."

"One (property) owner cannot hold up redevelopment efforts. There has to be something built-in to the statutes that would allow a preponderance of the owners in the area to have some say. That's exactly what happened here. Fifty of the 55 property owners chose to sell for a very good price."

Powell's suggested change in the TIF statute does not sit well with Ron Calzone of Dixon, director of Missouri Citizens for Property Rights, an organization that primarily opposes eminent domain.

Calzone said Powell's idea would give those who want to sell their property power over those who don't.

"I'm somewhat amazed that the mayor would make such a statement," Calzone said.

"No number of neighbors or fellow citizens should have the right to force anyone else to sell property that they don't want to sell. Let's say that this was a car and that seven of your neighbors wanted to buy it. Should they be able to force you to sell your car?"

While Calzone believes that no one person should be able to hold up a much-needed public works project, such as a road, the same does not hold true with a shopping center.

"Obviously, under the current law, Dr. Tourkakis was not able to hold up the project," he said. "All I'm saying is that Dr. Tourkakis has the right to continue to own his own property."

Meanwhile, Powell said the city will pursue the condemnation of the Tourkakis property, which has been earmarked for a restaurant.

Since nearly 50 percent of Arnold's annual fixed budget comes from sales tax revenue, and given the sluggish economy, Powell said the city must be proactive in attracting new businesses that generate sales taxes to keep the city operating smoothly.