Council approves 2.4% PBID assessment increase for downtown Las Banos

The Los Banos City Council voted on Aug. 5 to adopt Resolution 7133, approving the FY 2026–27 annual report and budget for the Las Banos Downtown Property and Business Improvement District (PBID).

Staff and the Las Banos Downtown Association told council the PBID covers 77 assessed parcels and 55 property owners and proposed a 2.4% increase — within the district's 3% annual cap — tied to the consumer price index. The association reported the proposed increase would yield a total FY 26–27 budget of $180,272.91 and assessed parcels would see a marginal per-square-foot change (the presenter cited a base rate moving from roughly 31¢ to 0.31744¢ per square foot under the formula provided).

Members of the public and council asked for clearer outcome metrics showing foot-traffic gains and other measurable benefits; a council member requested that staff and the association return with year-over-year statistics. After discussion and a motion by Mayor Amabile, the council approved the resolution in a unanimous roll-call vote.

Council emphasized the PBID’s three program buckets — maintenance and general security, marketing and placemaking, and administration — and asked staff to follow up with more transparent performance data so property owners and merchants can see direct benefits.