Downtown Merchants Association Will Use Self-Imposed Fees to Maintain First Street Tree Lights

Since forming the Benicia Business Improvement District [BID], its governing board, the Downtown Benicia Alliance [DBA] has been working toward levying self-imposed assessments to fund projects and services that benefit those in the district.

The BID was formed in November 2012 as a self-assessment district, using the the DBA as a non-profit governing board to oversee the district. The City gave the district the green light when it partly subsidized the BID's purchase of the downtown tree lights last year.

According to a story published in the Benicia Herald, the board has set its sights on a plan that will implement assessment fees to first- and second-floor downtown businesses. Fees for first-floor businesses could amount to $192 a year; second-floor businesses will be charged $60, according to the Herald.

The city will act as a vehicle, according to a DBA report submitted by Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani, which will then turn the funds over to the district for its own uses.

Failure to pay one's dues would result in a reminder letter written by Giuliani, then another, and finally if the fee was still not paid, the unpaid tab would be sent to some sort of undetermined collection agency, according to the story.

The DBA has scheduled its next meeting for April 8 where it's likely these issues will be discussed in further detail.

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