Formation Of A Community Benefit Improvement District Advances For Santa Barbara

In a unanimous decision, the Santa Barbara City Council recently voted to move forward with initiating a Community Benefit Improvement District (CBID) for downtown Santa Barbara. Property owners within the district will have the opportunity to vote on whether they wish to self-impose an assessment to enhance services in the district above the City’s general services and budget constraints. The funds collected (estimated at $2M) would be specifically allocated to improvements and services that are expected to benefit the district, such as enhanced safety, cleanliness, and promotional activities, that could drive more visitors and business to the area. The decision to move forward with the ballot process reflects the council’s commitment to engaging property owners in making the decisions that directly affect their properties and the broader community. This initiative is championed by the Chamber, Downtown Santa Barbara and the CBID Steering Committee. Learn more here.