Robert Cooper Jr.
NASHVILLE (Legal Newsline)-Tennessee Attorney General Robert Cooper Jr. has been asked to determine whether officials in Rutherford County can give taxpayer money to help what some call a religious venture.
In a letter this week to the attorney general, state Rep. Donna Rowland, R-Murfreesboro, asked whether the county can authorize the use of tax-increment financing for the proposed 282-acre Bible Park USA. They hope to open the park in 2010.
The request for an opinion comes because the park's developers wants millions in tax-increment financing to help bankroll the theme park centered on Bible history.
The developers specifically want the county to forgo about $27.9 million in property taxes to pay for bonds to build the Bible Park.
They say that over a 22-year agreement, the county would receive $122 million in sales and property tax revenues.
The Rutherford County Budget Committee is scheduled to consider the question of the property tax TIF at its May 8 meeting.
From Legal Newsline: Reach reporter Chris Rizo by e-mail at csrizo@hotmail.com.