Lethbridge city council has unanimously approved a bylaw setting the Downtown Business Improvement Area tax levy for the upcoming year.
Council gave second and third readings to the bylaw during its Jan. 20 meeting. The approved bylaw increases the levy to $150 from $138.
City officials said the tax is imposed on all businesses within the Downtown Business
Improvement Area to meet the budget set by the Downtown Lethbridge BRZ board. That budget is expected to be presented to council in March and approved by the end of the month.
The mill rate for the downtown business improvement area will be set later this spring as part of the city’s broader tax rate bylaw, which is scheduled to come before council in April.
Both second and third readings passed unanimously, allowing the mayor and city clerk to sign and seal the bylaw.
City administration officials said business improvement area levies are used to fund services and initiatives within the downtown core, including marketing, events and streetscape improvement
