City Makes a Bid for a B.I.D.

Special Districts. Ahh, the sound of those two words is music to the ears of any city staffer. A new pot of money to dole out; a new sandbox to play in.

Comes now the Business Improvement District (B.I.D.)


You may remember this idea was alluded to last November, after Assistant City Manager Tony Ramos reported the disappointing results of the Rose Institute survey of local business: the agenda report said there appeared to be little support for a Transient Occupancy Tax and Business Improvement District. (It is interesting to note that nowhere in the Rose Institute Survey appeared the phrase, "Business Improvement District", though there were questions on the idea of a Transient Occupancy Tax, which went down 3 to 1 in the survey.) Ramos must've been thinking B.I.D., however, since he mentioned it in his report to City Council as a concept that would require "more education" of the business community.

(We guess that the idea may have been that a Transient Occupancy Tax, paid for by visitors and not by businesses, would've funded the district; but more likely the businesses figured that they would be assessed as well.)

Anyway, we hope there is a good turnout at the Wednesday and Thursday meetings noticed in the flyer above. Maybe even a few retailers will attend. And perhaps ask a few good questions of the attorney in charge of the Chamber of Commerce. Or the City staff members who will doubtless be hovering about.

Just remember this: its all about priorities. If the City is serious about supporting business, the City will pony up some cash.