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Council approves Downtown Business Improvement District assessment renewal; no written protests received
Summary
City staff and the Downtown HB advisory board presented the proposed 2025–26 Downtown Business Improvement District budget and assessment levy; council approved the annual assessment (estimated $115,000) after no protests were filed.
Huntington Beach City Council approved the annual renewal of the Huntington Beach Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) assessment for fiscal year 2025–26, following a staff presentation and a public hearing that produced no written protests.
Chris Kennedy, the city’s economic development project manager, described the district as a city-authorized program formed in 2004 to fund activities above the city baseline to support downtown businesses. The district comprises roughly 255 businesses with assessments ranging from $80 to $1,404, and the total assessments for the coming year are estimated at $115,000 based on business-license data.
Kennedy said Downtown HB, a nonprofit merchants’ association appointed by council as the district advisory board, administers district activities such as a weekend ambassador program, enhanced maintenance and cleaning, holiday beautification, marketing and community events. The staff report said assessment funds are kept in a separate account distinct from the nonprofit’s other revenue.
Councilmembers asked about vacancy rates in the district; staff estimated about eight or nine listings at the time of the hearing but noted vacancy fluctuates. Council voted 5–0 to adopt the resolution approving the annual assessment. No written protests were received from business owners in the district.
