Moratorium on creation of TIFs in unincorporated areas in place now
The Board of County Commissioners has passed a six-month moratorium on the creation of any tax increment financing (TIF) areas or projects in the unincorporated areas of Chelan County.
The moratorium was passed unanimously in July 2025 during the board’s regular meeting. Public comment was taken on the moratorium at a public hearing on Sept. 23.
A TIF is generally defined as a financing tool that allows local governments, such as cities, towns, counties, port districts or any combination thereof, to fund public infrastructure in designated areas to encourage private development. Property taxes generated by the new development are then used to pay for the improvements.
As established by the state Legislature, TIFs are meant to be tools to spur economic development in distressed areas that lack development.
State law authorizes the BOCC to adopt a six-month moratorium via board action. The moratorium may not exceed six months unless it is extended for good cause by board resolution at a later date. The moratorium does not apply to incorporated cities.
The moratorium was established for the following reasons:
Chelan County has hired a consultant to help establish an urban growth area for Malaga. The new UGA may establish new commercial and industrial zones or rezone areas. It also may impact housing densities in the Malaga area. The UGA study, which is being done in conjunction with the ongoing update to the Chelan County Comprehensive Plan, will be completed late next year.
Also underway is the updating of the Transportation Element, a chapter in the Comprehensive Plan. The Transportation Element, in part, will determine necessary infrastructure upgrades to roads that are essential for future residential and commercial growth in the Malaga area. It is premature to determine what road projects may be needed in the TIF area until the Transportation Element is completed, which will be late next year.
The Malaga UGA study, in determining future growth, also may look at wastewater infrastructure needs. It has not yet been determined if Chelan County will need to partner with an existing wastewater provider or create a new facility to serve the Malaga area.
County Press Releases:
Press Release: Chelan County passes moratorium on creation of TIFs in unincorporated areas (PDF July 29, 2025)
Press Release: Chelan County commissioners deeply disappointed by port’s plan to divert over $100 million from critical county services (PDF Aug. 27, 2025)
Press Release: Regional port rejects Chelan County's $37.5 million offer (Oct. 30, 2025)
Audio: Chelan and Douglas County Commissioners talk about the TIF at Nov. 3 joint meeting
Report: TIF Project Analysis Review from Washington State Treasurer's Office (released Nov. 13, 2025, PDF)
Comments: NEW! Chelan County comments read at Dec. 23, 2025, meeting of the Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority
Posted: 10/14/2025 10:24 AM
Last Updated: 12/23/2025 01:28 PM
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By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
PLEASE NOTE: FTP browsing is no longer supported on the latest browsers, please refer below to acccess our FTP content.
Popular Browsers
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By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
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