Committee adopts amendment and sends renewal of Central West End/South SPD to the Board as amended
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Summary
The committee adopted an amendment and voted to send board bill 147, which would remove a $7,000-per-taxpayer cap on the Central West End and South Special Business District levies and give the SPD more flexibility to fund security, outreach to people who are unhoused and beautification. Proponents said removing the cap could yield roughly $100,000 a year.
Alderman Autumn Browning asked the Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee to approve board bill 147, a renewal of the Central West End and South Special Business District (SPD) levies, and to adopt an amendment moving the measure to the August ballot. The committee adopted Amendment No. 1 and, after public testimony and questions, gave the bill a due-pass recommendation.
Bill Keeling, a resident and board member of the SPD, told the committee the district’s revenues have been flat while costs have risen and that most SPD funds support public-safety efforts. Keeling said the current ordinance caps tax revenue collected from any single taxpayer at $7,000 a year and argued the cap creates unequal taxation within the district: “You have those who have the really big expensive thing who are paying a lower rate than those who don’t,” he said.
Keeling outlined SPD spending that includes camera funding through the Central West End Neighborhood Security Initiative and outreach to people who are unhoused. He said eliminating the $7,000 cap and returning the question to voters would likely increase revenue; he estimated the change could raise the district’s revenue “in the vicinity of a $100,000 a year,” but added the SPD board might then consider lowering the district tax rate.
Matt McBride, representing the Metro West End/South SPD, echoed Keeling and told the committee the ordinance has been in place for roughly 25 years and is currently “top heavy” with security spending requirements that limit flexibility. He said removing the cap would allow the SPD to spend more on homelessness outreach, beautification, lighting and litter projects.
Vice Chair Sauniere and other members asked for the SPD’s most recent annual report; Keeling said the 2025 report was delayed during a staffing transition but expected to be circulated to aldermen within about two weeks. Committee members also asked for additional details about camera vendors and planned uses for the added revenue.
Alderman Browning moved to adopt Amendment No. 1, the clerk called the roll, and the committee recorded seven aye votes, adopting the amendment. The sponsor closed by urging a favorable recommendation, and the committee voted to pass board bill 147 as amended with a due-pass recommendation to the full Board of Aldermen.
The committee record shows the amendment adoption (roll call; seven ayes) and the committee’s due-pass recommendation; the transcript does not record a detailed final vote tally on the bill beyond the committee action. The SPD proponents provided financial projections and said they would share the delayed annual report with aldermen when available.