When Gardiner elected officials meet Wednesday, they consider executing a credit enhancement agreement with the Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center.

The historic opera house, which is currently fundraising to pay for renovating its upper theater, had approached city officials last month for help.

The federal tax credit program returns 20 percent of the cost of qualified rehabilitation expenses to a property owner. That program is often coupled with the state Historic Preservation Tax Credit program, which returns 25 percent of qualified expenses to the building owner.

Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed last December, the 20 percent return under the federal program has been preserved, but developers are now required to take that over five years instead of when the project is completed.

Under the eight-year agreement that’s proposed, Johnson Hall would receive in each of the first three years 100 percent of the developer tax increment revenues. Starting in the fourth year and to the end of the agreement, Johnson Hall would receive in revenue whatever portion of the total tax payment that exceeds $19,000. If during that period the total tax payment is less than $19,000, it would receive nothing.

An executive session is scheduled for 6 p.m., to discuss the hiring of a city manager.

Elected officials are also expected to:

• Hold a public hearing on and vote on first read of proposed changes to the historic and archaeological resources section of the Land Use Ordinance

• Hold a public hearing on and vote on the first read of proposed changes to the sign section of the Land Use Ordinance

• Consider a request to waive payment of the $250 fee for Planning Board site plan review for a proposed community dog park

• Hold a public hearing on an application by Common Wealth Poultry submitted to the state’s Community Development Block Grant program for a Public Service Grant for job training funding

• Be presented with a certificate of membership in AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities

• Consider accepting the proposed 2018 dock tie-up fee schedule

• Consider appointing an E-911 Committee

• Hold a public hearing on and take a final vote on the fiscal year 2019 municipal budget

• Consider setting the fiscal year 2019 tax due dates, the interest rate and authorizing the Tax Club program

• Consider approving the list of carry forward requests for purchases or projects that were budgeted in the current fiscal year but will be completed in the next

• Consider accepting updates to the Employee Handbook

• Consider reappointing of the library director for one year.

The Gardiner City Council meets at 6 p.m., Wednesday in the City Council chamber at 6 Church Street.

Jessica Lowell — 621-5632

jlowell@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @JLowellKJ

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