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Fillmore Community Benefit District renewal fails after public hearing; majority protest reported
Summary
The Board of Supervisors received an elections department tabulation showing 33.83% of weighted ballots in favor and 66.17% opposed to a proposed renewed and expanded Fillmore Community Benefit District, creating a majority protest that prevents the board from imposing the district assessment.
The Board of Supervisors received an elections department tabulation during Tuesday’s public hearing on the proposed renewal and expansion of the Fillmore Community Benefit District (CBD). The clerk announced the returned weighted ballots: 33.83% in favor and 66.17% opposed. Under the district‑formation rules the board is following, the number of returned weighted ballots in opposition exceeded those in favor, resulting in a majority protest.
What happened at the hearing: The Fillmore CBD renewal had been the subject of a months‑long hearing process that included a management district plan, an engineer’s report and ballot tabulation for about 227 parcels in the proposed district. The public hearing allowed property owners and stakeholders to present ballots and testimony. Both supporters and opponents of the renewal spoke at length about neighborhood priorities, the CBD’s record of services and governance questions.
Ballot tabulation and outcome: At the close of testimony the elections department reported the weighted tabulation showing a majority protest. Under the applicable procedures, a majority protest prevents the board from approving the assessment; the clerk moved to table the resolution effecting the renewed CBD. The board voted to table the matter.
Public concerns expressed: Opponents said they had concerns about governance, transparency, unclear financials and the perceived dominance of a few major property owners; supporters said the Fillmore CBD had delivered cleaning, promotions and other services and urged renewal to sustain momentum for neighborhood economic development. Several speakers, including merchants and neighborhood groups, urged the city to continue working with the Fillmore district whether or not the CBD renewed.
Next steps: Because a majority protest was recorded, the board could not impose the assessment or finalize the district at this hearing. The resolution was tabled pending any further proceedings or reconsideration that conform to the ballot‑protest and district‑formation procedures.
