Janesville BID clears first hurdle
From the WCLO newsroom:
Janesville's Business Improvement District (BID) clears its first hurdle with approval from the city's plan commission after a lengthy public hearing.
The proposal now moves to the city council, unless owners of 40% of the property to be assessed file petitions against the BID. Plan Commission Member Kathy Voskuil says she thinks the BID is not the complete answer, but it's one of the best tools in the city's toolbox right now.
The plan commission voted unanimously for approval, with Tom McDonald and Anda O'Connell abstaining since they have businesses downtown.
Click here for an audio report.
Aug 19, 2008 at 8:46 p.m.
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Isn't it about time for all of Janesville to be assessed for all improvements that would improve their quality of life?
This would include infrastructure (roads, curb and gutter, sidewalks, and whatever)and would extend to the downtown, the fringe...all of it. We're all in this together.
Aug 19, 2008 at 8:41 p.m.
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janesvillean...
The BID would not affect me one way or another.
I actually promoted Voskuil in her race for council based on her record on the plan commission.
But since her election to the council...she seems to be on a spending spree with other people's money.
.
Not acceptable.
Aug 19, 2008 at 11:40 a.m.
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I'm not a downtown person but it seems to me this is not how a democracy is supposed to work.
Bring it to a vote before all of the property owners involved and let the majority rule instead of dictating.
Aug 19, 2008 at 9:14 a.m.
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Just a thought, Janesvillian. I don't live downtown, but I can empathize with those who do not want any part of BID. I think that this idea may have some merit, but if I was a property owner downtown, and was forced to pay higher taxes when the economy is going south at such a rapid pace, I'd be furious. These people are facing tax increases up to $3500.00. That's quite a chunk of money. I'm not an authority on how the businesses downtown will fare in the current economic uncertainty, but I can say that as a consumer, I haven't spent one cent downtown in the last month. I simply cannot afford it right now. Again, I can't say with any certainty, but I'd be willing to bet that a lot of consumers are being more cautious about spending. The business owners downtown are bound to feel that pinch. It just doesn't seem right to force them to pay higher taxes right now.
Aug 19, 2008 at 8:28 a.m.
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I suppose the nastygrams below are for people who would rather not be assessed. That means they own property downtown, but want other people to pay for any improvements.
Aug 19, 2008 at 7:13 a.m.
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What's wrong with Ms. Voskuil? I was impressed with her as the Plan Commission chair several years ago during the Walmart development and think she does a great job on the council.
Aug 19, 2008 at 6:37 a.m.
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why?
Aug 19, 2008 at 6:16 a.m.
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Get Kathy Voskuil off any and all commissions! She is one council person who needs to be booted out!
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