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City seeks downtown tax input

Staff Reporter

Published: Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Updated: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 23:01

 

Kirksville Downtown Improvement Committee is planning to distribute a petition to establish a Community Improvement District this month.

The CID would impose a half-cent sales tax increase for any purchases made downtown, according to a KDIC handout.

"We have to have a percentage of support from the property owners in order to see the Community Improvement District established," said Jeremy Pingel, interim executive director of KDIC.

Pingel said the CID's ultimate goal is to raise $115,000 a year for the next 20 years for direct community improvements in downtown Kirksville. The money would be used for a variety of projects, such as creating additional parking, enhancing landscaping, streetscape furniture and lighting, which would enhance downtown events and marketing. 

It would also help pay for a permanent director, for the committee to ensure consistent CID leadership.

"I personally want to see a lot of events happening downtown, at least once a month," KDIC President Sherry Stacey said.

She said a CID board has been established to oversee the money collected. The board consists of five people, including some business owners.

KDIC has worked on this petition since last year.

Nate Walker, former executive director of KDIC, said the petition was in its beginning stages when he resigned during May. He said it usually takes about a year to get initiatives like the petition done. 

"It was going well when I left," Walker said.

Pingel said they have begun speaking with people and gathering signatures. They are hoping this step will be completed by February.

"If we have enough participation and the petition itself, that will allow us to take the next step which is speak with the City Council," Pingel said.

Pingel said after it is presented to the City Council, there will be a public hearing and a mailing ballot.

Pingel said that KDIC has done some research and there are several communities in Missouri that have CIDs in effect, that made improvements to their downtowns. He said he felt like this was the best avenue of becoming a self-sustaining improvement district.

"In addition to this, the hope would be that once we have the ability of being self-sustaining, we'll also look at additional grant opportunities," Pingel said.

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