Council renews assessment for downtown businesses
The San Rafael City Council has voted unanimously to renew the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District assessments for 2024.
The assessments, which are collected during the business license renewal process, are on a scale based on business type and location. Businesses along the main Fourth Street corridor pay a premium, while those in the West End pay lower rates.
The assessments range from $25 for a personal service practitioner, like a salon in the West End, up to $425 for a bank or financial
institution on the main drag.
For 2023, the city has collected $65,044 in assessment revenue, which is lower than the pre-pandemic average of $83,000, indicating that some payments are delinquent or unpaid.
Micah Hinkle, the city's economic development director, said about 93% of the businesses paid the assessment.
Despite another year of belowaverage assessment revenue, city staffers recommended the fee it charges proprietors remain unchanged while officials explore a switch to property-based assessments, which could boost revenue.
“Every dollar that is gained through the assessment is so precious,” said Councilmember Eli Hill, who serves as the city's liaison on the business improvement district, or BID.
Hill said he respected the district's director, Sarah Tipple, for her ability to “stretch every dollar.”
“I'm amazed at what we're able to do with the budget that we have,” Hill said. “Between the events and making sure that we're attracting our community members and even folks from out of town, each event seems to get better and better every year.”
The district formed in 1979