BID task force members address concerns about the proposal
From the WCLO newsroom:
Some downtown Janesville business owners are expressing concern that if they oppose the Business Improvement District, or BID, proposal they'll lose business from supporters of the BID. BID task force member Larry Squire says they shouldn't worry.
"I've heard nothing from anybody from the city, I've heard nothing from anyone who's on the BID task force, I've heard nothing from anyone I've talked to that said they would use the criteria of someone supporting or opposing the bid as a portion of how or who they do business with," Squire says.
But BID task force chair Chad Karl says it's a possibility.
"There's probably some business owners who would lose business if they did oppose it," says Karl. "In essence, what they're saying is that they don't want the downtown to grow anymore."
If the city adopts the BID, 183 properties in the downtown area will be assessed $2.80 per $1,000 of assessed value. The assessments have a $275 minimum and $3500 maximum. The assessments help fund downtown revitalization projects intended to stimulate economic growth. The city's plan commission holds a public hearing on the BID Monday. The plan commission must adopt the operating plan in order for the BID to move forward to the city council.
Click here to listen to an audio report.
Aug 18, 2008 at 11:20 p.m.
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Ah, Communism. I missed the part in the BID proposal where all the fees were distributed to the poor.
Aug 18, 2008 at 8:30 a.m.
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"In essence, what they're saying is that they don't want the downtown to grow anymore." Maybe they just don't think that it is a good idea. Or maybe that it is a good idea, but that it won't work. Or maybe they don't welcome the idea of another tax during tough economic times. Putting words in someone else's mouth to serve your own ambitions is a poor way to settle a difference of opinions.
Aug 18, 2008 at 8:14 a.m.
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I think this is great:
"There's probably some business owners who would lose business if they did oppose it," says Karl. "In essence, what they're saying is that they don't want the downtown to grow anymore."
I think that, in essence, what they are saying is that they don't want their taxes to grow anymore.
They won't lose any of my business by not supporting BID. It's not like they have any choice, anyways. I'd be furious if my taxes went up (up to $3,500/year).
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