BID is vital to downtown's future, success

I have to start off by offering full disclosure. I happily sit on the board of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce and, although some think the chamber owns the BID, the chamber board does not do anything with the BID. In fact, they have their own committee for direction. I would argue the chamber bends over backward to make sure the BID survives.

Let’s start by saying several visionary business people, 16 years ago, started the BID in an effort to pool resources and provide a funding mechanism for downtown events, marketing, beautification and communication. Hats off to these folks who saw a need and made a difference. They recognized that, individually, businesses would have a hard time bringing these types of resources forward for their own benefit but collectively they could make downtown more vibrant.

From their vision, a taxing district was formed using the collection services of the city of Sandpoint. So the administrative efforts of fee collection, past due balances, etc, is a city function.

So my first question is this. If a tax is imposed on downtown businesses and there are many delinquent businesses, why is the city not pressing that with liens, etc? If the past due balances are sent to a collection agency then why do we not have a scorecard from the agency for past due balances? Is this the only tax in the entire country that’s OK to pass on paying? The city does have ways of dealing with those who are delinquent in the collection of taxes and I would assume this could include shutting off water.

In other words, a business shouldn’t have the right to decide not to pay when the rest of us are diligent about paying each year. (Yes, the Daily Bee is part of the BID) They are receiving a benefit, if indirectly, from those of us willing to pay the tax. (At least buy me a beer and say thanks.)

In defense of the city, they are working on a new collection agency, and I truly believe that our new city administrator will help shut down these loopholes. (Parking tickets being the other major loophole.)

So let’s separate the BID’s mission from those tax evaders who choose not to pay. They should be dealt with swiftly as if they hadn’t paid their real estate taxes, or state income tax, or federal income tax.

Second, do business owners realize what they have? When downtown revitalization consultants go into a market to help a downtown become vibrant, one of the biggest questions they ask is funding mechanisms for revitalization. Guess what, Sandpoint has that already. If it’s ever dissolved I would guarantee that it will never be back. What a shame that would be — the downtown Christmas lights wouldn’t happen, the Wooden Boat Show wouldn’t happen, downtown flower baskets wouldn’t happen, the snow skis on utility poles wouldn’t happen, etc. If you’re not happy with the programming of the BID then show up to meetings — which are usually sparsely attended — and provide your input. Like anything else, you get out of it what you put into it.

A Business Improvement District is a vital funding mechanism for downtown vibrancy and our neighbor to the south, Coeur d’Alene understand that, supporting its own BID.

Third, if dissolved, do I have the confidence that the city will be able to take over the tasks currently done by the one BID director for the small salary she receives? Heck no, she had to put out the road closed signs for the recent Wooden Boat show and paid a deposit to assure they were returned. Why would I be concerned? I’m not sure the city staff would have the same vested interest in the success of the business community as a director, paid for by local businesses. I do have to add a disclaimer here because several of the city administration staff, and the mayor himself, have helped on several BID activities such as hanging the flower baskets, downtown cleanup, etc.

Dissolving the BID is not the answer. As a society we need to quit listening to the disgruntled few and cater to the silent majority. Let those who don’t like the BID lapse in their payments; then let’s turn off their water, or revoke their business license.

A strong suggestion would be a workshop on direction for the BID hosted by the city. Get people there by providing some food, beverages, and openly discuss what works and what doesn’t. Let the typically silent majority of business owners decide next steps. A suggestion from City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton is to look at the fee structure and make sure it is equitable.

Finally, inform the council of what they have. Maybe host a workshop, by a downtown revitalization expert, to educate the council and local businesses, on the benefits of such a funding mechanism. Lack of knowledge shouldn’t be the basis for changes to a program.

Jim McKiernan is publisher of the Daily Bee and can be reached at jmckiernan@bonnercountydailybee.com