The fate of The Downtown Business Improvement District has been determined, and the one councilman that was in favor of keeping it, wasn't in the room.
City Councilman, Jason Jackson chose to recluse himself from tonight's City Council meeting because of conflict of interest.
EL CENTRO - Councilman Jackson owns a small business in El Centro and wanted to avoid any repercussions towards the city, should the B.I.D. stay.
As it goes the B.I.D. no longer exists as council members voted all in favor of disestablishing it.
"I think the merchants downtown, we're really happy", said local business owner, Julie Rodriguez, "we will work together. Once everything is done and the council has approved that is dissolve, the merchants downtown will work together."
Those in attendance were able to state their opinions during the public hearing. The discussion featured both local business owners and residents of El Centro.
Some agreed to keep the B.I.D. while others were in favor of it being disestablished… their argument being that it has done nothing to improve business in Downtown El Centro, like its objective was.
Councilman Jackson said after the meeting, "It's unfortunate, the unfortunate part of it is that my colleagues certainly didn't want me in there because I feel like I have more knowledge about what really goes on downtown."
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