Members of the Cumberland Community Improvement District rejected a proposal Thursday that would have expanded the authority of the CID board of directors’ to spend money on facilities and services normally provided by governmental agencies.

The proposal would have allowed the CID board to help provide public safety services or build facilities, such as a firehouse. But the measure failed in a vote of about 20 members, said CID attorney Lynn Rainey. The vote tally was not made public.

Community Improvement Districts are funded by taxes levied only on member businesses. They can spend money on six items: road maintenance; recreation areas; storm water and sewage systems; water service; public transportation; and parking facilities.

Malaika Rivers, executive director of the Cumberland CID, declined to comment on the vote.

The Cumberland CID was the first such organization established in Georgia, in 1988. It encompasses 6.5 square miles and collects about $5 million a year from its members, which pay 5 mills in additional property tax to the CID.

Also on Thursday, CID members approved:

  • Extension of the CID until 2024.
  • Reinstatement of incumbent board members John Shern and Mason Zimmerman.

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