MARION - The city of Marion established its first tax increment finance district here 22 years earlier and now city officials want to get the word out about the benefits reaped from using the economic development tool offered through the state legislation.

City council members approved a motion Monday during a council meeting to publish information in area newspapers that has been gathered by Marion attorney Ron Osman which explains how TIFs work and its 22-year history in Marion.

"This is an effort by our city council to educate the public. The council and mayor asked me to put it together," Osman said after the meeting.

During a pre-vote discussion, council members said there are many misconceptions amongst the public about how TIFs work and one of the biggest areas of public misunderstanding is that school districts lose revenue as a result of the tax increments.

I wonder why now they wish to inform the residents about the TIF benefits, now everything may start coming out.