SHELBYVILLE - Months of discussion and speculation came to an end Monday night as the Shelbyville City Council approved a plan to establish Tax Increment Financing districts within the city limits.

The motion was approved by a 3-0 vote with Commissioner Noel Bolinger absent and Commissioner Tim Finks "passing" after City Attorney John Freeman warned that Finks and Bolinger, both property owners in areas being considered for the TIF should not vote or participate in discussions.

"The law is very clear," Freeman said. "Those council members cannot and should not vote and during discussions they must remain quiet, that includes here or anywhere including the press."

Mayor Roy Shuff said approving the plan was the first step in establishing TIF districts.

"This doesn't formalize any boundaries at this time," Shuff said.

The council also voted to begin a list of "interested parties" as they relate to the TIF district, including property owners and others who might be affected by the change. A consultant is helping the council determine potential areas for TIF districts that offer tax breaks to developers and businesses buying property in what are considered "blighted" areas.

In other business, the council approved a contract to build a new sewer line near Shelbyville's Forest Park. The line and lift station will offer sewer services to eight homes on East North Ninth Street and also supply a 700-foot sewer line into the park to provide services to a planned expansion at the Shelbyville baseball diamond.

"This is something we've been wanting to do for a long time," Finks said. "A lot of people wanted it and have been waiting for it. There were other things we had to do first, but now we're ready for this project."

Construction is expected to begin in late February and be finished before summer.

"It's a quick and clean project," Finks said of the $130,000 plan.

Sharon Mosley can be reached at sharonrhews@yahoo.com.