Greater Belhaven Voters Approve Community Improvement District

The Greater Belhaven Foundation (GBF) is pleased to announce that voters have approved formation of a special local taxing district, the Greater Belhaven Community Improvement District (CID). The CID will generate approximately $200,000 in annual revenue for projects in Greater Belhaven. Based on preliminary results, more than 75.68% of voters cast ballots in favor of the CID. Election results are not official until five (5) days following the date of the election to allow for absentee and mailed ballots to be counted.
“We want to thank everyone who helped make this possible. We’re excited about the potential for CID funds to make Belhaven an even greater place to live, work, and raise a family,” said Margaret Oertling Cupples, CID Committee Chair. The special election allowed all registered voters within the district, including renters, to vote on whether to create the CID. Greater Belhaven, consisting of the Belhaven and Belhaven Heights neighborhoods, is comprised of over 1700 single family and multifamily homes as well as numerous businesses.
GBF began collecting signatures for the CID in October 2019. Despite the global pandemic, more than 60% of property owners in the district signed a petition in favor of the CID. Used throughout the United States and other countries, CIDs help enhance urban and suburban areas by helping fund landscaping, parks, sidewalks, lighting, security enhancements, infrastructure, and rehabilitation or sale of derelict properties. With these enhancement measures, many communities see a reduction in crime and blight as well as an increase in property values and increased job opportunities at local businesses.
“The funds that this additional millage will generate will be such a game changer for the neighborhoods,” said Casey Creasey, Executive Director of GBF. “I am so grateful for everyone who got out and voted in favor of this district.”
Legislation requires that a CID plan and funds be managed by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit neighborhood association, like GBF. CID funds are collected with the property owner’s taxes yearly by the City of Jackson and held in a special fund for the District. The City will annually disburse the proceeds of the special assessment to GBF. CID proceeds must be maintained separately from other GBF funds, with strict accounting, audit, and public disclosure guidelines.
CID funds can be used for various projects and also as matching funds for larger projects. The CID assessment is based on each property owner’s existing tax assessment; property owners will pay an additional 6 “mills” on that assessed value. A “mill” is equal to $1 per every $1,000 of a property’s assessed taxable value (usually a small fraction of the home’s market value). With each property owner paying a minimal additional tax amount, the CID will generate approximately $200,000 per year to improve Greater Belhaven.