MASON CITY, IA - Business owners are deciding how to handle a possible tax increase from a planned streetscape project. A group of them are planning a meeting Monday night to decide where they stand on the issue. One property owner says there's a petition circulating to put a stop to the project.
Many are concerned about paying high taxes to support the idea. Owners say there could be a twenty-percent tax increase over ten years.
City Administrator Brent Trout says it's the construction that could make the renewal process frustrating for businesses, but in the end will create a nice appearance for the downtown. He says once they figure out the finances they can get to work.
"This is a process that must be followed to a certain time line so that's what we're doing then after this process we'll begin final touches on the plans and moving foreword."
The city is meeting with business owners this Thursday. Mason City leaders will vote on the tax property tax increase question, a week from tomorrow.
