As Chattanooga considers enacting a downtown business improvement district we must understand its possible results.
First, a tax on people in that specific area goes into a non-governmental organization with no strings attached.
Secondly, citizens and patrons are charged more for goods or services received.
Finally, psychological barriers are erected to create a class based caste system to distinguish those privileged insiders from those of us standing on the outside looking in on fairyland.
BID’s have been around for decades with mixed economic results but clearly articulated negative social outcomes. Ordinances, local government operations and non-government organizations are providing all of the things promised by this privilege tax.
When our city council passes this needless assessment, hold them accountable and require regular monthly reports showing the income and expenses from this source, plus a cost/benefit review in case it needs to be repealed.
Quenston Coleman