By PETER HUSSMANN
The Newton City Council approved second consideration for the re-establishment of the downtown improvement district early last month but asked supporters to give some specifics on what they planned to use with the money generated by the placement of the extra property tax on the commercial properties in the area.
On Monday, the council will discuss the response it received in determining whether or not to approve third consideration of the ordinance for the re-creation of the Newton Downtown Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District that would place an additional $1 per $1,000 taxable values on the property tax bills of properties in the area. If given the council OK, the business owners in the area would need to approve its establishment.
Council members were provided with a proposed budget sample from the group backing the effort that showed how the estimated $13,000 that would be raised each year would be used.
The budget included expenses for such items as trash pick-up and weeding through contracted employees, purchasing flags for the 19 flag poles on the courthouse corners, purchasing banners for the light poles on First Avenue and around the squre, the replacement of benches and trash cans around the square, sidewalk repair and enhancement and costs for the purchase and upkeep of flowers around the square.
The improvement district would include the same eight-block area surrounding the square in the previous improvement district that ran from 1985 to 2006 but would extend to include commercial properties north and south of First Avenue between East Fourth Street and West Fourth Street.
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