Staff Writer
Downtown Vision Inc. will ask the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Thursday to approve a $1.2 million budget that ties a City contribution to the fate of several popular programs.
In a letter to JEDC Chair Zimmerman Boulos, DVI Executive Director Terry Lorince cites a projected 12 percent decline in revenues, totaling $110,000, from private property owners because of lower property values.
The 90-block Business Improvement District operated by DVI is funded by Downtown property owners, who pay a special assesment of 1.1 mills on their taxable commercial properties to fund the district.
With that money, DVI hosts and promotes events; pays for the Ambassadors who provide Downtown services to keep streets cleaner, safer and friendlier; markets and advocates for downtown; and provides other services.
Lorince submitted a budget that includes the City’s full contribution of the equivalent of 1.1 mills on its property, or about $325,000. That represents the amount of property taxes the City would pay, if it paid such taxes.
She asks the City to resume full funding to DVI for the 2010-11 budget year. The city has been paying 0.7 mills the past two years, she wrote. The millage difference would reflect more than a $95,500 increase over the 2009-10 budget.
“Without these funds, Downtown Vision will need to cut or eliminate projects and initiatives that both the city and property owners rely on us to provide,” the letter said.
She specifically mentioned the Off the Grid partnership between artists, Downtown property owners, DVI and the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville to fill vacant Downtown spaces with art; the Great Streets program to improve walkable and pedestrian-friendly environments; facade improvement programs; and overall beautification efforts.
Lorince could not be reached on Friday. JEDC executives could not be reached, either.
According to the submitted budget, all of the programs to be funded directly or indirectly support the 19 Downtown Action Plan items.
These include Downtown advocacy and issue resolution management, service as a hub for Downtown information, production of Downtown events that support local business, enhancement of the cultural scene and improvement in cleanliness, safety and beautification of Downtown, among other points highlighted throughout the document.
The JEDC is scheduled to review the DVI budget at its meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday at City Hall.