DVI’s board of directors Thursday approved a $1.2 million operating budget for fiscal 2010-11. The organization is funded through a 1.1 mill additional property tax levy approved by Downtown property owners, combined with funding from the City equal to taxes that would be assessed on City-owned property if the City paid taxes on its property.
Of the total budget, 80 percent comes from private property owners while the City’s share is 20 percent.
DVI’s proposed budget is submitted to the mayor’s office as part of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission’s budget, which is subject to approval by the City Council.
DVI Director of District Services Amy Harrell reported that the pressure-washing program to clean sidewalks and buildings has progressed faster than anticipated, but with the new larger equipment, the water supply requirements have increased.
Board member Chris Flagg suggested DVI explore the possibility of installing a system to catch rain water to be used for cleaning purposes. He said harvesting rain water would be a green initiative and “another opportunity for DVI to be at the forefront.”
Harrell said Downtown Ambassadors removed 147 graffiti tags in the last 30 days. “We couldn’t have done that unless the Ambassadors were outsourced,” said DVI Executive Director Terry Lorince.
Also discussed was the next DVI-sponsored happy hour and business networking event April 8 at The Twisted Martini at the Landing. The series of afterwork gatherings has a new name, “Downtown Straight Up.”
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