Benicia News: Arts Festival, Business License Tax and Voting day!
Today is the last day to vote in the California Primary Election. Here’s the info you need to get your ballot in if you haven’t done so already. Even if you forgot to register, you can still vote.
To vote in person, find your polling place here.
Ballots can be dropped off curbside at the Benicia Public Library from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or at any polling location in the city from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Also in this newsletter:
- On the City Council agenda tonight: the City’s Business License Tax
- Fun things to do at Benicia Arts Festival this Saturday
What’s up with the city’s Business License Tax?
City officials want to revamp Benicia’s business license tax program – the fee that businesses are supposed to pay to operate in Benicia. The City Council will discuss proposed changes and increases at its meeting tonight with the goal of directing staff to write a ballot measure for voters to consider in the November election.
The current fee structure is based on gross receipts and business type, with an exemption for those who bring in less than $10,000 a year. The fee ranges between $75 to $450.
An initial conversation at the City Council meeting last month illustrated a general lack of clarity about who, exactly, is required to get a local business license: Bands paid to play in town once a year? Yes. Contractors who install a shower in a Benicia house? Yes. Independent Contractors who work from home? Yes.
That meeting included public criticism about the city’s enforcement consultant, HdL Companies, which local artists allege targeted gallery shows with fee enforcement operations.
The stated goal of the changes is to “improve equity, modernize the current structure, and increase revenue generation.”
Among the questions councilmembers will consider: Should businesses with less than $100,000 in gross receipts be exempt? Should the cap be raised or eliminated? Should business categories be treated differently (retail, restaurant, hotel)? Should there be a new, separate Marine Terminal business category?
Various models would bring in estimated revenue between $1.2 and $4.3 million.
Build community together at the Benicia Arts Festival
Art Blooms in Benicia is the theme of an arts festival this Saturday, featuring interactive art experiences, live music, giant flower installations and a free festival trolley.
Among the coolest offerings: You (and your child) can make a tiny house and build a community together with a live, interactive installation at NY2CA Gallery.
Papermaking artist Jane Ingram Allen invites visitors of all ages to construct a house by dipping six mesh wire panels into handmade paper pulp and then wiring them together. It takes about 15 minutes to build and the houses will be grouped in the courtyard to dry.
Finished houses can be picked up at the end of the festival, by 5 p.m.
This event and the festival are free to attend with activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Plan your day with a cool interactive map showing public art installations, galleries, music and more. Check it out here.
See you there!
Monica, The Benicia Bridge
