This one is clear in terms of what the State law says – resident renters not only get to vote, but they get two seats on the seven-person Board of Commissioners, which oversees the Special Business District. People who don’t have to pay the tax shouldn’t get to vote on imposing it. There would also be a disproportionate representation because an LLC with four owners would only get one vote, whereas there could be multiple renters in each property who would each get to vote.
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While I don’t mind that non-property owners can vote, I think the fact that they can makes it all that much more important that the property owner should as they are most likely outnumbered on their own properties. The person responsible for paying the taxes should not have to deal with more frustration to be “eligible” to have a say in their taxation.
I don’t have any problem with renters getting to vote — it’s their rent money that the landlord uses to pay taxes and all other expenses. Of course, the tenants should understand that increased operating costs may need to get passed through as increased rents.
I feel that renters should be allowed to vote in this election. Renters are the ones that reside in the neighborhood. They are the ones who are witness to crimes and nuisance behavior. They are the ones who fail vicitims to crime. Renters also do not have the luxury of installing a home security system, lighting or better locks to secure their property as suggested in this website. They can only ask a landlord to provide them. I feel that renters are knowledgeable and understand that an increased security level in this neighborhood will come with a trade-off. For many of us, it will be reflected in higher rents.