City leaders in Warner Robins say they are trying to move their government into the 21st century and they want to do it with a tax allocation district, or "TAD".

The city of Warner Robins is pushing for a TAD, an area of town that is also known as a tax allocation district. Gary Lee is the Executive Director for the City of Warner Robins and says the district will be a great incentive, "Because I think that, that is what we use as marketing incentives for developers to come to a blighted area."

Warner Robins Mayor Chuck Shaheen commends his efforts, "I appreciate Gary Lee wanting to bring us into the 21st century like this."

If there is a TAD placed in Warner Robins that would mean that the current tax base would be established for a certain period of time, usually 25 years. Any additional funds collected above that tax base would go to specific projects, usually to develop underdeveloped areas.

"This is an instrument to be utilized to enhance growth that would normally not have any activity," says Lee.

Shaheen agrees that it would make the city more marketable, "I’m excited the city of Warner Robins is moving to clean up some of the blighted area between Robins Air Force Base and Downtown Warner Robins

The proposed tax allocation district would begin at Commercial Circle and go all the way down Watson Boulevard, until it reaches Highway 247.

"We are trying to clean up and refurbish an area of town totally, pretty much left abandon for a number of years," says Lee.

Lee and Shaheen both say that district is centered on two major anchors for economic development.

Shaheen says,"Our law enforcement center is really what motivated this."

"The Air Force Base sits across the street from in and in our economic engine," adds Lee.

The enactment of a TAD requires approval of all local governments. This year’s proposed TAD in Warner Robins is on hold after the Houston Board of Education voted it down.

Lee adds that he hopes that the "TAD" proposal will appear before the Houston County Board of Education Before the end of this year to seek their approval.

If the school board does not approve the TAD before the given deadline of January 1, 2013. The project will be put on hold until 2014.