Council committee approves 5 Points business-improvement district after amendments

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee on Oct. 21 approved an ordinance establishing a dependent special district (a business improvement district) for the 5 Points neighborhood, following amendments that set board appointments, assessment rules and an annual opt-out process.

The committee approved the neighborhood amendment as amended on a voice vote and then passed the bill as amended 6–1. The ordinance allows property-based assessments to fund enhanced cleaning, security and streetscape services for the 5 Points commercial district; the assessment will be based on heated square footage and will begin on property tax bills in November 2026.

Why it matters: supporters say the district will provide sustained, local funding for security, cleanliness and marketing that property owners and merchants say the city has not been able to sustain. Opponents raised concerns about mandating assessments on unwilling property owners and whether enough property owners had consented.

What the committee approved: the ordinance, as amended, includes these key points: - District makeup and appointments: a five-member board with three appointments by the council president and two by the mayor, with alternates (two appointed by the council…