Will Carson City businesses get free money?
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Thu, 03/06/2014 - 5:14pm
Today Lori Bagwell pointed to the Plan of Expenditure at the Board of Supervisors meeting and asked for clarification before the Board took its final vote on the 8th of a cent sales tax increase.
“In its Plan of Expenditure, Carson City has anticipated the annual maintenance costs for the Corridor and downtown projects to be $250,800. This cost is to be paid by the businesses that benefit from the planned improvements. The Plan recommends that Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) be established, or other funding approaches within each corridor be utilized to pay these costs,” explained Lori Bagwell.
“Not only the taxpayers, but the businesses involved deserve to know the details of the $250,800 expected cost? The Plan of Expenditure does not provide that information, nor whether a business can opt-out of paying for the maintenance,” continued Bagwell.
She asked the following questions:
“ Will the projected costs include utilities for lighting and watering trees, sidewalk sweeping, tree trimming, emptying of the trash and staff to run the special events?
“Will the businesses be charged cost allocation or to pay for various city services?
“How many city staff will be needed to implement these projects and what is the projected cost to be borne by the businesses?”
“It is important that the businesses understand their on-going costs and that the residents will not be burdened with these additional expenses.
“What is the City going to do if a business does not pay? The cost to an individual business could run into the thousands of dollars. Will the City place liens on business properties? Or will it add the money owed to a business’s Business License Fee?
“Before the City incurs the bonded debt for the corridors projects, these details should be worked out and answers given to the taxpayers and businesses involved. Do we have these answers today? If not today, then WHEN may we expect them?
“Where there’s a lack of information, rumor and negative fantasy fill the vacuum.” concluded Bagwell.
From Page 19 of the Plan of Expenditure:
Carson City
Annual Maintenance Costs for Corridors and Downtown Projects
Carson Street: North (Winnie Lane to Freeway 580) $26,700
Carson Street: North Central (Winnie Lane to William Street) $7,200
Carson Street: South Central (East Fifth Street to Fairview Drive) $26,800
Carson Street: Central (East Fifth Street to William Street) $47,500
Curry Street: Central (Musser Street to Robinson Street) Included Above
Carson Street: South (Highway 50 West to Fairview Drive) $88,600
William Street: East (Carson Street to Freeway 580) $40,300
Highway 50: East (Freeway 580 to Fairview Drive) $13,700
Total $250,800
Based on Conceptual Plans
It is anticipated these ongoing maintenance costs will be funded through the establishment of a business improvement district or other funding approach within each corridor section.
Lori Bagwell is a candidate for Ward 3 Supervisor
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