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Willow Glen BID budget hearing is set for June 6
Funds must be spent on local improvements and community events
By Chantal Lamers
The Willow Glen Business Improvement District 2000-2001 budget will get a "yea" or "nay" from San Jose City Council members at a public hearing on June 6, at 1:30 p.m. in the council chambers.
Willow Glen's BID is one of three such districts citywide. Japantown and downtown San Jose are also part of the California Parking and Business Improvement Area Law. The law promotes the economic revitalization and physical maintenance of participating businesses.
This year, Willow Glen's BID proposes to spend $234,700. Willow Glen's BID piggy bank is funded by an extra business tax. Retail businesses pay an annual $240, nonretail businesses and commercial property owners pay $120, theater and banks pay $500.
Those generated taxes must be spent on such things as community policing, sidewalk cleanup, business recruitment, festivals and fairs, said Michelle McGurk, chief of staff for Vice Mayor Frank Fiscalini, who is also the District 6 council member. McGurk said BID budget assessments are pretty routine.
Some of Willow Glen's BID expenses include newsletters to members and community, business mixers, business directories, and website maintenance. Other costs include $58,100 for the annual Dancing on the Avenue street fair in June; $66,100 for September's annual Founder's Day; and Halloween and other holiday and sidewalk sales events.
Bob Waligore, Willow Glen Business and Professional Association president, said that this year the board plans on releasing a directory of BID businesses to the Willow Glen community. The board has also discussed mailing newsletters and calendars of upcoming events to residents.
Other plans include expanding the annual Founder's Day celebration. This year, the September event will feature more artists, the return of a street dance and the parade, Waligore said.
Willow Glen became a BID in 1983. In 1984, council members appointed the WGBPA as the advisory board.
Under BID law, the advisory board must present an annual budget to the council. The committee's report consists of assessments and the expenditure of revenues. Council members review the report, adopt a resolution to support the budget, and set a public hearing.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
