Ratepayer Advisory Board Application

The purpose of the Ratepayer Advisory Board (RAB) is to help effectuate and make recommendations to the City of Spokane and the Downtown Spokane Partnership for the use and dispersion of funds collected from Ratepayers consistent with the purposes of the Downtown Spokane Business Improvement District as set forth initially, in Spokane City Ordinance C-32923 and RCW 35.87A and other applicable subsequent law.

About

The Ratepayer Board of Directors sets policy and determines how BID resources are spent to improve the economic capacity of Downtown through the provisions of enhanced municipal services in the areas of cleanliness, safety, promotions, marketing, and transportation. Your expertise and participation can help guide the BID to continue providing a high level of service and maintain the positive revitalization momentum underway in Downtown Spokane.

The Ratepayer Advisory Board represents a diverse array of business interest within the BID. As such, each seat represents a different Downtown contingency.

The application period for the 2022 Ratepayer Advisory Board will open in October 2021.

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Online Application Printed Application

Documents

Advisory Board Expectations

The Board meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month excluding January and August at 8:30 a.m., unless otherwise designated, i.e. during holidays. Occasional other meetings are held as needed, such as a Board retreat.

Business Improvement District boundaries

Spokane Municipal Code: Section 04.31.080 Ratepayer Advisory Board

A. Pursuant to RCW 35.87A.110, there is hereby created a nineteen-member BID advisory board, to be known as the “Ratepayer Advisory Board.” The ratepayer advisory board shall not exceed a membership of nineteen persons, who, if they are ratepayers, are in good standing either residing within the BID, owning property, or operating a “business” or “multifamily residential or mixed-use” projects in the BID. “Persons in good standing” are those ratepayers who are not more than sixty days delinquent on any BID assessment unless the ratepayer has appealed the BID assessment and is in the appeal process, in which case the ratepayer retains his or her “in good standing” status through completion of the appeal process.

B. Board positions are designated by geography, business, and property type to ensure that the BID’s interests are well represented and served. To the extent individuals are willing to serve, Ratepayer Advisory Board positions consist of:

  1. Six individuals from zones one through four, with at least one individual from each zone;
  2. One individual from a retail business within the BID occupying more than twenty thousand square feet;
  3. One individual from a retail business located within the BID occupying less than twenty thousand square feet;
  4. The Superintendent of School District 81 or his/her designee;
  5. Four individuals representing professional service businesses located within the BID, including such as legal services, accounting, and architecture;
  6. One individual from a non-profit organization which is either located within, or provides services inside, the BID;
  7. One individual from a small business located within the BID with up to twenty-five employees;
  8. One individual from a business located within the BID with more than twenty-five employees;
  9. Two individuals who reside within the BID area; and
  10. One appointee from the City Council.