Morgan Hill – Downtown property owners have voted to raise taxes on themselves to pay for beautification projects.
The assessment will generate $75,000 a year over the next five years. The City of Morgan Hill will pay about $24,000 per year for its properties.
Proponents say the funds will bolster downtown capital improvement projects such as decorative lighting and street benches. The hope is that these types of projects will make downtown more attractive in the eyes of shoppers.
The Morgan Hill City Council certified the new tax after City Clerk Irma Torrez counted 65 ballots that had been submitted by property owners who would have to pay. When her tabulation was complete, she announced ballots representing $44,268.05 in financial obligation had been returned in support of the proposed assessment. Ballots representing $11,730.99 dollars in financial obligation were returned in opposition.
Therefore, 79 percent of the ballots, as weighed, supported the proposed assessment.
The new tax district is defined as south of Main Street, west of Butterfield Boulevard, north of Dunne Avenue and east of Del Monte Avenue. The tax assessment is based on square footage. Lots and buildings in the “premium zone,” between Main Street, Del Monte Avenue, Dunne Avenue and Depot Street, will be assessed $0.0297 and $0.0593 – respectively – per square foot. Other lots and buildings will be assessed $0.0111 and $0.0223, respectively.
