Council’s record of taking major votes without listening to stakeholders continues to disappoint. Now, having ignored stakeholders in the Blue Ridge Corridor, they stand on the verge of losing their taxing authority. With the Council elections coming in November, don’t make the same mistake again: engage stakeholders and act according to their wishes or prepare to be voted out of office.
Approved operating and capital improvement budgets by a vote of 5 to 2 with Councilors Black and Jones voting against.
Highlights from June 4 Council Meeting
Highlights from May 21 Work Session and Afternoon Session
The survey done by the community engagement department strongly indicates the amenities this MSD proposes do not align with what residents are willing to pay for, and since it is the businesses in the area that want these amenities, it should be the businesses that pay for them; not the residents.
Highlights from May 7 Afternoon and Evening council meetings.
On May 7th, Council will hear from the public about the idea of creating a self-taxing Municipal Services District (MSD) to improve safety, cleanliness and growth in the corridor. Our opinion is that adopting an MSD first puts the cart before the horse. Livable Raleigh recommends that Council follow the precedent of Raleigh’s existing MSDs: Begin by funding and adopting a strong Area Plan vision supported by all stakeholders to guide Council rezonings and investments. Then decide if an MSD is needed to manage safety, cleanliness and the adopted Area Plan vision.
Highlights Work session was not on YouTube for the first 20 minutes or so for some reason. Councilors Black and Branch not present for work session. Councilor Branch not present for afternoon session. Proposed new Public Private Partnership policy will focus on...
I think the only way this MSD works is if the Alliance redraws the boundaries such that apartment complexes are excluded, or they go to the state legislature and get permission to implement an MSD on a sales tax basis and not a property tax basis. But the onus should be on the alliance to address the problematic aspects of the MSD BEFORE it is implemented and should not be a burden placed on residents AFTER the MSD is implemented.
HIGHLIGHTS Councilor Branch is absent and excused. Transit budget facing $8.2M deficit, even assuming resumption of fares on July 1, 2024. Several options proposed for addressing. Public comments covered rezoning issues, bus ridership, Prince Hall District, natural...