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Petaluma Council Adopts $64,000 Downtown BID Levy After Hearing on Security and Admin Costs
Summary
The council adopted the Downtown Petaluma Business Improvement District 2026 assessment (≈$64,000) after a public hearing; questions focused on nightly security patrols, banner storage costs and the share of funds used for administration.
The Petaluma City Council voted unanimously on Jan. 5 to adopt the 2026 assessment for the Downtown Petaluma Business Improvement District, authorizing the district to collect about $64,000 to fund security, marketing, beautification and administration.
Senior Management Analyst Nancy Sands presented the BID structure and budget breakdown: roughly 20% for administration (billing, processing, bookkeeping and some staff time), about 27% for security patrols, 23% for marketing and about 30% for beautification (seasonal banners, holiday decorations and cleanup day). Marie McCusker, executive director of the Petaluma Downtown Association, explained that security is provided via nightly drive‑throughs with photographic verification, banners are stored and maintained under contract and that PDA staff and volunteers contribute substantial additional time.
During the public hearing Darren Rakusen, representing downtown merchants, urged clearer communication about BID benefits and expressed concern that administrative costs could consume a large portion of the assessment. Council members pressed staff for detail on patrol frequency, banner/storage costs and the composition of administration fees. Staff said the BID leverages other funds and noted the city provides rent for the visitor center, reducing PDA overhead.
Council Member Shribbs moved to adopt the assessment, Vice Mayor Nao seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Why it matters: The assessment funds downtown security, marketing and beautification activities that merchants and the PDA say encourage foot traffic and events. Some businesses questioned whether the administrative share is too large and asked for better result reporting.
Next steps: PDA will continue administering the BID, collect assessments for 2026 and report on BID activities; council expressed interest in consolidated economic‑development planning in the future.
