“We’re creating a budget that has recurring expenses,” Mayor Esther Manheimer said. “You’ve got to have a source of revenue that continues year after year.”
![BID poo emoji](https://mountainx.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/pats-beat-1-330x219.png)
“We’re creating a budget that has recurring expenses,” Mayor Esther Manheimer said. “You’ve got to have a source of revenue that continues year after year.”
According to a staff report, the new pay raise proposal includes a flat dollar increase of $4,053 for beginning on-shift firefighters, which will boost the lowest paid firefighter pay by 8.8% to $50,309 annually.
“Since much of this effort revolves around cleaning up downtown to make it more desirable for tourists, demand that the funds come from the tourism bureau and their grossly overfunded budget.”
The BID proposal requires two votes from Council, The first is slated for Tuesday, May 14, and the second on Tuesday, June 11. If approved, the governance structure of the BID will be established at a later date.
A public hearing on another controversial topic — rezoning for a large development at 767 New Haw Creek Road — has been postponed until Tuesday, June 11.
Safety and hospitality ambassadors for a downtown Asheville business improvement district would be perceived as a welcome addition by some — additional “eyes and ears” on the street. But others aren’t sure that such a program is a priority.
Among those who are skeptical, the point of contention is whether a business improvement district overburdens downtown taxpayers for basic services that should be provided by the City of Asheville and Buncombe County.
When Kit Cramer arrived at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce as president and CEO in 2010, Asheville’s downtown was the subject of much complaining about panhandling, trash and graffiti.
Fourteen years later, Asheville’s downtown is the subject of much complaining about panhandling, trash and graffiti. And the community is once again considering a BID.
In the latest edition of Xpress’ WTF feature, we explore this sometimes controversial concept of a business improvement district, which promises a steady stream of revenue to fund much-needed services downtown.
Listed on Council’s agenda for Tuesday, March 22, is a presentation about Asheville’s “community cleanliness strategy.” The discussion comes two weeks after the Asheville Downtown Association released its annual survey, in which respondents gave the city’s core a 2.2 out of 5 in terms of cleanliness.
At its March 25 regular meeting, the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority board unanimously approved a projection that occupancy tax revenue would exceed $27 million for fiscal year 2021-22 — 15% more than projected for the current fiscal year, which ends in June, and 9% more than the year before the pandemic.
Late last month, Asheville City Council passed the Haywood Road Vision Plan, a years-long effort by community members and city staff to outline the future of the corridor. It’s not a one-time event either: Such plans for different areas of the city are a main way city leaders hope to shape the Asheville of tomorrow, and it’s a plan they want to extend to more neighborhoods. Sometimes, however, these plans can also prove controversial.
With prospects of a special tax to fund a downtown Business Improvement District unlikely, the board for Asheville’s Downtown Improvement District is officially going dormant. According to a board representative, the members continue to work to accomplish the BID’s goals through other organizations and methods.
With final approval of the downtown Asheville Business Improvement District pushed back to April 9, and with an early meeting with two members absent, on March 26 Asheville City Council will set fees and charges for the coming year. Increased parking, water, and garbage fees are on the agenda.
The Asheville downtown Business Improvement District has released its proposed budget, as required by Asheville City Council, and revised bylaws in an attempt to address concerns that led to harsh words from some members of the two organizations last week.
At a meeting Thursday morning, March 14, members of the downtown Asheville Business Improvement District board harshly criticized Asheville City Council for delaying approval of the BID’s proposed bylaws and expressing “disappointment” that the board hadn’t also submitted a detailed budget. Many board members said they were almost ready to walk away from the project.
This year’s Bele Chere will be the last — at least, the last run by the city, as Asheville City Council members agreed during a March 12 budget session to end their financial involvement. As part of an overhaul in the way government deals with arts and festivals, city staff are also studying a proposal that sets up a “creative economies” chief, instead of a traditional arts administration staff. Photo by Max Cooper.
While the continuing struggle over the fate of the city of Asheville’s water system was the evening’s main issue, Asheville City Council had plenty of other topics to tackle at last night’s session.
It’s going to be a busy night (and afternoon) at Asheville City Council, as it considers a long-awaited report on a possible merger of the city’s water system, board members for the Business Improvement District, and, of course, the “pub cycle.” Follow all the goings-on with our live Twitter coverage.
Before the Dec. 11 Asheville City Council meeting, staff will present a long-awaited report on a possible merger of the city’s water system. The agenda also has plenty to consider, including the appointment of a board for the downtown Business Improvement District, tougher conservation easement rules for the watershed and a trolley bicycle service.
After months of debate, on Oct. 9 Asheville City Council passed the controversial plan for a downtown Business Improvement District 5-2. Council changed the proposed makeup of the BID’s governing board, and will set a tax rate and other specifics for the district at a later date.