Council deadlocks on downtown assessment levy after public hearing

The City Council held a public hearing on a proposal from the Ceres Downtown Revitalization Board to establish an annual assessment levy on downtown businesses to fund maintenance, landscaping and facade incentive programs.

Economic Development Manager Julian explained the levy boundaries and said the revenue would support downtown landscaping, lighting and potential façade improvements; the proposed assessment amount (described in staff materials as historically modest) drew questions about collections and sufficiency. "Should the council decide not to establish the levy assessment, the current downtown fund will be depleted, and future expenditures will have an impact on the general fund," Julian said.

During public comment, John Warren questioned the levy’s voluntary collection status and contrasted past maintenance costs (he recalled a $26,000/year gardening contract) with the assessment revenue the staff estimated. "If you're gonna establish something, there needs to be an enforcement, a way to collect the revenue that is due," Warren said.

Council members discussed business engagement and collection mechanics: staff said a new vendor (HDL) will assist with collection and outreach and that some downtown businesses had asked for the levy to be higher in the future. After discussion and a motion to establish the levy, a roll call vote returned a 2–2 split (Council member Casey and Council member Otero voted No; Council member Viera and Mayor Lopez voted Yes), and the motion failed on a tie.

Council asked staff to return in January with additional outreach and a status update on business participation, collections, and the downtown fund balance. The council did not adopt the levy at this meeting.