The final paperwork is done to establish Portage’s first five residential TIF districts .

The Redevelopment Commission unanimously voted to create these tax increment financing districts for Rivertrace, Providence at Farmington, Bauer Farm, Sandy Trail and Swanson Trails.

Together, they’re expected to bring the city 589 new single-family homes, 478 paired patio homes, 38 townhomes and 101 cottage homes.

Something different for these TIF districts is that the developers have agreed to make annual payments totaling about $622,000 a year until the newly built homes show up on the tax rolls, ultimately generating about that much annually in new revenue for the Redevelopment Commission.

Among other things, the money will go toward public safety needs for the city.

“One of the challenges

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