Council advances Downtown Stockton Community Improvement District formation to weighted ballot

The council voted July 28 to adopt a resolution of intention to proceed with formation of a Downtown Stockton Community Improvement District (CID), authorizing the city manager to sign city ballots and direct staff to mail weighted ballots to property owners. The CID would replace the existing downtown PBID and run for a 20‑year term under the city's code (the city code permits CIDs for up to 20 years). The Downtown Stockton Alliance (DSA) and staff outlined services that would be funded — primarily clean/safe/maintenance and ambassador programs (77% of the budget), business development (10%), and administration/reserve (13%) — and an expected annual assessment revenue of about $1.862M.

DSA staff reported they had collected petitions from property owners representing 31.89% of the district (surpassing the 30% petition threshold required to bring the matter to council). The resolution authorizes mailing the weighted ballots to property owners for a 45‑day return period; the clerk will tally ballots and report results back to council on Sept. 23. If the weighted ballots pass after the city ballots are included, the district would be established effective Jan. 1, 2027. Council approved the resolution 7–0.

Councilmembers discussed term length (city code allows 20 years for CIDs whereas state PBID statute typically limits terms to five years), assessment rate structure (commercial rate 7.881¢/sq ft; residential 4.728¢/sq ft for 1–3 units), and the inclusion of residential parcels at a reduced rate because of integrated zoning patterns in the downtown footprint. Supporters emphasized day-to-day maintenance and ambassador presence as vital to private investment and downtown revitalization.