Q. What is a Community Improvement District (CID)?
A. The CID is simply a collection of business owners, property owners, and residents who came together to improve downtown. It has distinct borders and is tasked with providing programs and services to residents, property and business owners, downtown workers, and customers. The CID itself was approved this past February by the Columbia City Council after over 70% of downtown stakeholders voted in favor of it.
Q. What sort of programs and services does a CID provide?
A. Downtown CIDs throughout the state typically use their additional revenues for increased maintenance, beautification, marketing and other pressing needs. This increase in services directly benefits businesses, property owners, residents and customers.
Some of the projects we're proposing include:
- Downtown wireless
- Smart phone apps
- New businesses recruitment
- Street fairs, concerts and specialty markets
- Sidewalk cafes and street musicians
- Beautification projects
- Downtown recycling
Q. How does a CID pay for these services?
A. Right now, the CID is funded solely by property owners. We'd like everyone who enjoys downtown to help us fund projects that will make downtown even better, which is why we are proposing a ½ cent sales tax—only a nickel on a $10 purchase.
Q. Is a sales tax a fair way to raise needed funds?
A. Yes, for many reasons. First, it's important that everyone who benefits from the new services and programs helps fund them. Customers, residents, employees, businesses and and property owners all benefit from cleaner sidewalks, recycling programs, public technology, more landscaping and a more attractive streetscape.
Second, an increase in sales tax would bring us to parity with 9 other major shopping districts including the Columbia Mall, the Shoppes at Stadium and all the Wal–Marts.
Our goal is to create a pleasing environment for our customers, residents, and business and property owners and to do so we need to make to make sure we have the resources.
Q. How does a mail–in vote work?
A. All voters registered in Boone County who live in the Downtown Community Improvement District will receive a mailed ballot during the last week in October. Voters should mail or return the signed ballot to the Boone County Clerk so that it is received no later than 7:00 pm, November 8, 2011.
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CID proposal garners 63% of the vote. Thank you so much for your support!
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What will a nickle get me? Learn what types of programs and services we're proposing.
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Sample Ballot. What will the ballot I receive in the mail say?
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CID Map. If only residents can vote, how do I know if I'm in the CID?
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Q & A. Frequently asked questions.
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Coummunity Improvement District Management Plan. Read more about the new downtown CID.
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Downtown sales tax moves toward fall vote. District's residents would receive ballot.
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Downtown group begins planning for tax. "It gives us the opportunity to provide the level of service downtown deserves."
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