30 Day Countdown Begins for Opposition to DBIA Levy

Monday, January 18, 2010 09:44 AM

Prince George, B.C. - As the City of Prince George moves forward with its reverse petition for the establishment of the Downtown Business Improvement Area levy, the opposition to the levy is trying to organize opposition to the tax.

Under the proposed bylaw, properties with a C1 zoning, will have to pay an extra tax. The amount of the tax will be capped at $10 thousand dollars, however, any amount assessed over and above that cap will be distributed among all other property owners within the designated area.

While the City has a current property owner list for the purpose of taxation, those who oppose the levy have an incomplete , and outdated list of contacts. The City has made it clear the taxation list is not available as that would violate the privacy act.

Opponent Kelli Steer, General Manager of the Coast Inn of the North, says the plan for the DBIA will not benefit all who pay into the fund. “The largest event the former DBIA hosted was the car show. How will funding a similar event benefit Gold’s Gym, or a lawyer’s office?”

Roger Cruezot, owner of Gold’s Gym, says the concept of a DBIA doesn’t work, “If it had worked in the past, we wouldn’t have the problems we have downtown.”

Cruezot says the proposal comes at a time when the economy is still struggling, “We have 13.6 % unemployment, and these are difficult economic times, the last thing anyone needs is another tax.”The business plan for the DBIA calls for the expenditure of $108 thousand on wages, ( it plans to hire an executive director) $40 thousand for the Clean and Safe Program a further $35 thousand on events and marketing, and $27,500 on the annual flower basket campaign. The balance of the dollars raised would be spent on office expenses, rent, meeting costs and consulting fees.

Those who oppose the levy now have 30 days to register their opposition. In order for the levy to fail, there needs to be registered opposition by 50% of the property owners, representing 50% of the assessed value of properties within the DBIA.

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Posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 09:44 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Palopu on January 18 2010 11:30 AM

Well I wish them luck, however with a lot of absentee landlords, and no way to obtain the tax list from the City, they have their work cut out for them.

Posted by: anothercon on January 18 2010 5:44 PM

I find it interesting that of all the Coast Hotels in B.C. the Prince George location is the only one this is not part of a BIA. The Coast enjoys the benefits of the publicly funded Civic Centre and Art Gallery yet they want to continue to "freeload" and not contribute to making our downtown a better place. Hats off to the Ramada who have put their money where their mouth is. Be nice if they had a level playing field in the hospitality industry in the downtown.

Posted by: Mr. PG on January 18 2010 8:00 PM

The proposed Bylaw will not be defeated, primarily because of apathy, and because the opposition have no effective leadership.

I own a number of properties downtown, and no one has even bothered to contact me.

Posted by: Chester on January 18 2010 9:22 PM

Uh, excuse me anothercon, the Civic Centre is often in competition with the Coast Inn to host events in the city. Ask the restaurant owners what they think about the Civic Centre? (or should I say the City?)

The Coast has major renovation plans, but the current economic climate has put things on hold for a time. Don't be too quick to point fingers.

Posted by: opinionated on January 18 2010 11:18 PM

anothercon, you haven't a clue what you are talking about!The Coast Inn of the North can never be considered to freeload.They contribute greatly making this city as a whole, a better place. They ask for nothing in return.Better get your head out of the sand and get the facts straight.

Posted by: BC Mary on January 19 2010 10:11 AM

As the City of Prince George moves forward with its reverse petition for the establishment of the Downtown Business Improvement Area levy, the opposition to the levy is trying to organize opposition to the tax.

Well ... OK. No doubt moving forward with a reverse petition sounds is good work for bureaucrats. For people hoping to accomplish something ... not so good.

I still think somebody's tryin' to stir things up here on OPINION 250.