“READERS FORUM” FOR JULY 20, 2017

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WHATS ON YOUR MIND TODAY?

Todays READERS POLL question is: Do you feel that the city should add an additional tax on downtown businesses to encourage development?

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24 COMMENTS

  1. CCO: please check your facts re: “additional tax on downtown businesses to encourage development”.

    My understanding is that this new tax is IN LIEU OF real estate taxes. This is essentially a TIF District with one key exception: a private board will determine how the captured taxes are spent, NOT a governmental body.

    Infrastructure needs all around, and now the Downtown businesses get to spend their tax money as they please ? When can I get to spend my tax money as I please ???

    • Thanks for the information. So noted. Can a renter of a downtown store front commit the owner of his building he renting from to this tax????? Thanks. Editor

  2. “Taxes paid into the Downtown Economic Improvement District would be managed by a board of ratepayers, not city government. Some possible uses include landscaping, enhanced snow and ice removal, holiday décor, and ambassadors who would assist when numerous guests are Downtown.” (Evansville Courier&Press)

    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

    If this is a voluntary tax, I would not have a problem with it. If it is not voluntary, I would have a big problem with it!

    • Pressanykey,

      If this is a ‘voluntary tax’ (if there is such a thing), then this is like a Subdivision Association Fee for common grounds landscaping, snow removal, lights, etc. If that is all this is, it’s a moot point/not a matter of public concern–not even worthy of reporting by the news outlets.

      If this is in lieu of Real Estate Taxes, then this is a really big deal. I want to declare my home an Economic Improvement District.

      • Exactly right! The downtown TIF was not bringing in enough revenue to even meet their share of the first payment on the arena bond. The city had to make it up with more river boat funds from the boat. Hell, all the big expensive properties down town are so heavily abated that they don’t bring in even close to what they should be paying, and the residential sector has to make up the difference with higher residential taxes.

        This proposed medical school complex will not be paying taxes either because of their status as a school. At this point in time I am still not 100% sure who is actually going to own the school buildings, but it will be a pretty sweet deal if all they have to do is collect lease money and do not have to pay any property taxes. I am guessing that is why we are seeing this “Economic Improvement District” tax being talked about.

        I really don’t get it though: they already have a TIF district down there, and a portion of the taxes collected in that district are allowed to be sequestered for use within that district. So why the necessity for this new tax, and would it be an “illegal” tax upon a tax?

  3. EPD is executing “rolling roadblocks” in town this morning. I assume on the Lloyd. Not sure about the reason yet but they have done several of them this morning.

    • The EPD should move its motorcycle cop who parks at the Division Street westbound entrance lane (by the Pub) and nearly causes multiple accidents each morning.

  4. “The most useful piece of learning for the uses of life is to unlearn what is untrue”

    Antisthenes (445-365 BC)

  5. Drove on North Main to Turoni’s yesterday for a tasty pizza. Has anyone else noticed how uneven the new pavement is? Maybe the City didn’t finish leveling the pavement since they have to fix and widen the road.

    • A friend of mine is considering relocating her business because the construction and issues with the building is preventing her growth.

    • Heard it has been replaced 5 or 6 times after mistakes and the city has been left holding the bag. Can anyone confirm?

  6. Question for the day: Which member of the Trump team graduated from the #1 business school in the world, taking a degree in Economics?

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