Council asked to renew downtown district

FINDLAY — Legislation to renew the operation of the Downtown Findlay Improvement District has been introduced to city council. The legislation was introduced at council's Aug. 6 regular meeting. The district notified council of its intent to seek a five-year renewal in January. The special improvement district is funded through tax assessments of district members. The district then uses the money to provide services that improve downtown Findlay's safety, cleanliness and vitality. Under Ohio law, property owners in a "special improvement district" can tax themselves to pay for projects and services. There are 160 parcels in Findlay's downtown improvement district. The district was first established in 2009, and renewed in 2013 and 2020. Its budget is expected to be about $60,000 per year, with $40,000 a year paid to the city to provide services to the downtown area. The tax assessment will remain the same as the current agreement. In March 2023, the city of Findlay entered into an agreement with the district to provide and maintain downtown florals, Christmas lights and music, along with weeding, maintenance, beautification and snow removal along Main Street and in the downtown district. About $16,000 a year will be spent on downtown initiatives. The balance of the district's budget is used for organizational expenses like accounting fees and insurance.