Tax districts’ results give backers lift

In a shaky economic climate, businesses still know a good investment when they see it, even if that investment comes in the form of higher taxes.

A community improvement district allows participating businesses to choose and pay for projects such as road maintenance, parks, or public transportation.

In metro Atlanta there are more than a dozen CIDs and not one has been dissolved by its membership, which has to vote on the group’s future every six years.

For the North Fulton CID, that vote is next month, and proponents of the special district say the economic climate shouldn’t cause much of a problem for the group.

In its first six years, the North Fulton CID, which generally follows Georgia 400 from Holcomb Bridge to McGinnis Ferry Road, has worked with several state and local government agencies on a number of projects. Currently the group is working with the Georgia Department of Transportation on the widening of Westside Parkway and the construction of a four-lane bridge over Foe Killer Creek.

Tad Leithead, who serves on the board of three CIDs in the metro area, including North Fulton, said CIDs are so successful because business and land owners see infrastructure improvements that might not happen otherwise.

“Many see it as a good investment,” said Brett Harrell, executive director of the Evermore CID in Gwinnett County. “In our case here, our property owners have contributed about $5.5 million over our first six years, and seen about $130 million in projects, so from a business standpoint, I understand getting $26 dollars back for every dollar I spend.”

The CID model allows the extra money to be earmarked for projects in a specified area, unlike the businesses’ property taxes that are channeled into the general fund and may pay for projects in other areas. It is up to the membership and board of each CID to decide what projects will be funded.

Metro area CIDs have spearheaded projects such as landscaping, street resurfacing and running and walking trails.

While most districts have concentrated on traffic relief and pedestrian improvements, others have taken on larger initiatives, such as Atlanta’s Midtown Improvement District, which created a public safety force.

The Cumberland CID in Cobb County had its reapproval vote in the fall, just as many businesses were beginning to experience major fallout from the changing economic tide, said Malaika Rivers, the group’s executive director.

She said prior to the vote there was a lot of “discussion and nervousness” among members about their ability to pay the extra assessment during these lean times. In the end however, the body did unanimously approve the extension, through 2018, she said.

Leithead, a senior vice president of Cousins Properties believes the work these groups do is invaluable.

“CIDs not only improve their areas, but are very effective in working together to provide things like regional transportation planning and a regional voice,” he said.